This study was to examine the effects of postpartum exercise on pressure of the pelvic muscle contraction, body composition and physical fitness of postpartum mothers.

A nonequivalent pre-test, post-test control group study was conducted. Fifty-two postpartum mothers (experimental group, 26; control group, 26) admitted to a postpartum ward in a Busan mother-baby clinic were recruited. Data was analyzed using mean, χ²-test, and t-test by SPSS 10.0.

Body fat mass (t=-3.196. p=.002), body fat rate (t=-3.831, p=.000), and fat distribution (t=-3.026, p=.004) of body composition increased significantly in the experimental group after the postpartum exercise as compared with the control group. After an 8 week exercise program, the pressure of the pelvic muscle contraction in the experimental group was significantly higher than in the control group (t=3.329, p=.002). In the change of physical fitness, grip strength of the hand, back muscle strength, and trunk flexion forward were not significantly changed, but trunk backward extension in the experimental group significantly increased (t=1.950, p=.050).

Postpartum exercise affects pelvic muscle contraction, body composition, and physical fitness of the postpartum mother.