The 2022 Army policy reflects current scientific organization recommendations – for example the position of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).
NEW ACOG GUIDELINES, COMMITTEE OPINION 804, 2020
(reaffirmed 2023)
Exercise is an essential element of a healthy lifestyle, and obstetric care providers should encourage their patients to continue or to commence exercise as an important component of optimal health.
Women who regularly engaged in vigorous-intensity aerobic activity or who were physically active before pregnancy can continue these activities during pregnancy and the postpartum period.
Public Law 116-92 (NDAA 2020), Sec 572 Deployment Deferment After Childbirth
This law standardizes new mother deployment deferral policy across the services for 12 months after childbirth.
Army Program
The Army provides guidance as well as specific information regarding exercise modifications for local installations to oversee a site-specific Post Partum Physical Training (P3T) program. The guidance in the following Army doctrine:
FM 7-22, Holistic Health and Fitness, Ch 12 (Oct 2020)
ATP 7-22.02, Holistic Health and Fitness Drills and Exercises, Chapter 12 (Oct 2020)
The U.S. Army MEDCOM previously supported the mandatory Army P3T program at installations by providing an Army-wide P3T instructor course and developing educational materials for local use. Currently, the Army medical community is not designated to support the program, therefore local commanders are now responsible for execution according to the implementation standards set forth in policy. Some of the educational materials, referred to as the APHC TG 255 series, Pregnancy Postpartum Physical Training Manuals, are temporarily still being provided (see below).
Additional Information
- Visit the P3T MilSuite website (CAC required) for all P3T policies and content.
- Technical Guide 255X, P3T Exercise Chart (APHC)
- Technical Guide 255A, P3T Implementation Guide (APHC)
- AR 40-502, Medical Readiness, and DA PAM 40-502, Medical Readiness Procedures (Jun 2019)
- AR 350-1, Army Training and Leader Development Appendix F-5 e & f (Dec 2017)
- 2020 Department of Defense report on Military Women Health, prepared by the Defense Health Board
- Returning to running postnatal - guidelines for medical, health and fitness professionals managing this population Donnelly, E. et al. (Mar 2019) Evidence-based approaches to training postpartum women.
- Improving Maternal Health Outcomes with a Focus on Physical Activity The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is working across its agencies to decrease pregnancy complication risks and improve the health of women during pregnancy and the postpartum period.
- FDA on Pregnancy Resources to help you make good choices about medicines, foods, and other products for you and your baby.
- American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Exercising During Pregnancy Frequently asked questions regarding exercise during pregnancy.
