Research & references
The science
behind everything
DUE is not built on trends or opinions. Every principle, cue, and modification we teach is grounded in peer-reviewed research from leading organizations in obstetrics, sports medicine, and women's health. Here is the evidence behind the program.
Exercise guidelines during pregnancy & postpartum
4 referencesPhysical Activity and Exercise During Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period
Obstet Gynecol. 2020;135(4):e178–e188
doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000003772
2019 Canadian guideline for physical activity throughout pregnancy
Br J Sports Med. 2019;52(21):1339–1346
doi:10.1136/bjsports-2018-100056
ACSM's Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription. 11th ed.
Wolters Kluwer; 2021
WHO Guidelines on Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour
WHO; 2020
Prenatal exercise & health outcomes
3 referencesPrenatal exercise for the prevention of gestational diabetes mellitus and hypertensive disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Br J Sports Med. 2018;52(21):1367–1375
doi:10.1136/bjsports-2018-099355
Impact of prenatal exercise on maternal harms, labour and delivery outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Br J Sports Med. 2019;53(2):99–107
doi:10.1136/bjsports-2018-099821
Impact of physical activity during pregnancy and postpartum on chronic disease risk
Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2006;38(5):989–1006
doi:10.1249/01.mss.0000218147.51025.8a
Pelvic floor health & function
3 referencesIs physical activity good or bad for the female pelvic floor? A narrative review
Sports Med. 2020;50(3):471–484
doi:10.1007/s40279-019-01243-1
Pelvic floor muscle function, pelvic floor dysfunction and diastasis recti abdominis: prospective cohort study
BJOG. 2017;124(9):1414–1423
doi:10.1111/1471-0528.14610
Effect of pelvic floor muscle training during pregnancy and after childbirth on prevention and treatment of urinary incontinence: a systematic review
Br J Sports Med. 2014;48(4):299–310
doi:10.1136/bjsports-2012-091758
Diastasis recti & core function
1 referenceEffects of exercise on diastasis of the rectus abdominis muscle in the antenatal and postnatal periods: a systematic review
Phys Ther. 2014;94(6):792–807
doi:10.2522/ptj.20130010
Body position, heat & safety during exercise
2 referencesThe effect of supine position on maternal hemodynamics and fetal wellbeing: a systematic review
J Obstet Gynaecol. 2017;37(6):713–722
doi:10.1080/01443615.2017.1286466
Heat stress, hydration, and maternal exercise during pregnancy: physiological considerations
Sports Med. 2020;50(6):1047–1060
doi:10.1007/s40279-020-01249-7
Exercise physiology & long-term outcomes
1 referenceExercise during pregnancy: a clinical update
Clin Sports Med. 2000;19(2):273–286