Price: $225.00 Experience Level: Beginner Contact Hours: 8.25 |
This one-day remote continuing education course is designed to educate practitioners on the unique considerations of pregnant and postpartum athletes engaging in high intensity interval training (HIIT). In this course, which includes live Zoom lecture and lab content as well as prerecorded videos, participants will review the current literature, discuss the unique needs of pregnant and postpartum high intensity athletes, and learn how to most effectively treat these patients as practitioners. The main focus of this course will be to learn how exercising throughout pregnancy, or returning to exercise postpartum may look different for a high intensity athlete versus a non HIIT athlete.
Participants will discuss how anatomical and hormonal changes will affect training for the pregnant and postpartum athlete, and review various modifications for this population. We will also discuss how various stresses placed on the body during these activities may affect pelvic floor muscle function, and review various pressure management strategies that can be utilized during high intensity interval training. There will be 6 hours of pre-recorded lecture/zoom lecture and 2 hours of lab. The lab will be broken up into pregnancy considerations and postpartum considerations. During the pregnancy lab, we will review specific exercise modifications for pregnancy, utilization of breathwork to properly support the pelvic floor during pregnancy, and review how to assess for and tape for diastasis recti. In the postpartum lab we will review how to determine proper activity modification based on ability to manage pressure, review specific activity modifications and breathwork, review accessory work for return to activity, and discuss how to assess pelvic organ prolapse in standing.
Audience: This course is targeted for physical therapists, occupational therapists, physical therapy assistants, occupational therapy assistants, physical therapy and occupational therapy students.
Upon completion of this program, participants will be able to:
Pre-recorded lectures:
1.Pregnancy Anatomy review: How hormonal and structural changes will affect activity participation – 45 minutes
2. Review of ACOG recommendations for exercise intensity during pregnancy – 30 minutes
3.Review of postpartum anatomy and anatomical changes (cesarean, diastasis, prolapse, perineal tear) – 45 minutes
One Day Course Schedule:
*Schedule is listed in Pacific Standard Time |
Emily McElrath PT, DPT, MTC, CIDN
Emily McElrath PT, DPT, MTC, CIDN, is native of New Orleans and received her undergraduate degree in Athletic Training at the University of Southern Mississippi and went on to receive her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences. She is highly trained in Sports and Orthopedics and has a passion for helping women achieve optimal sports performance. Emily is certified in manual therapy and dry needling, which allows her to provide a wide range of treatment skills including joint and soft tissue mobilization. She is an avid runner and Cross-fitter and has personal experience modifying these activities during pregnancy and postpartum. While not working, Emily enjoys time with her husband and two kids.