From May to June 2025, in 5 weeks, 60 contact hours in total = 20 hours online program + 5 hours of independent study [1 ECTS] + 40 hours in-person program (one immersive week in Rio Maior, Portugal, 2-6 June 2025) + 35 hours of independent study [3 ECTS] + 25 hours of independent study plus assessment [1 ECTS] = 125 working hours [5 ECTS]

Deadline for pre-registration is: 08-05-2025 | Registration HERE 
Start of the program online: 13-05-2025
Online sessions: see the agenda (Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:00-12:00h WET) [Lisbon/London time]
In-person immersive week in Rio Maior, Portugal: 2nd to 6th of June 2025 (9:00-13:00h; 15:00-19:00h WET)

Intensive practical sessions will be held at ESDRM Sport Sciences School of Rio Maior – Santarém Polytechnic University, Avenida Dr. Mário Soares, 110, Rio Maior, Portugal.
The online sessions will be hosted on ZOOM platform: HERE 

In this blended intensive program, we will talk about the challenges of maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle during pregnancy, and your role as an exercise professional. We will have guest speakers from seven European countries to lecture about topics related to promotion of physical activity, nutrition, sleep and stress, international guidelines for physical activity during pregnancy, pre-exercise and fitness testing, and exercise prescription and adaptations to each trimester of pregnancy. In the group work you will be working on multiple case studies and will be asked to come up with an intervention plan.
Lifestyle-related health problems such as physical inactivity, obesity, diabetes mellitus type 2, several forms of cancer, heart disease and other adverse conditions are increasing public health problems which cause an enormous burden for European society. The Covid-19 pandemic has shown that people with lifestyle-related health problems are more vulnerable. Therefore, physical activity during pregnancy is a public health issue in Europe and beyond, in light of its impact on maternal and fetal health.
Updated scientific research has been supporting the positive effects of an active lifestyle with regards to the prevention of several pregnancy related complications and determined health problems, such as gestational diabetes, obesity, low back pain or depression. On one hand, the health professionals’ role in promoting physical activity and health is critical for motivation and overcoming barriers. On the other hand, effective and safe exercise interventions are required to enhance fitness and quality of life. The planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of such interventions are major roles of exercise professionals.

If you actively participate in at least 90% of the online sessions and immersive week, including the assessment process, you will receive a certificate of training (5 ECTS). If you actively participate in each of the online sessions and immersive week, excluding the assessment process, you will receive a certificate of attendance (respectively, 1 + 3 ECTS). If you are not able to follow the sessions synchrony, you can watch them later in the YouTube channel ActivePregnancy. You will have to bring this to your own institution to receive credits for the program.

Students are supposed to complete an initial and a final competence test, and choose one of three options for the practical assessment: (1) a video; (2) a brochure/infographic; or (3) a dissertation project, as follows.

(1) Exercise Sciences students are supposed to deliver a 10-25’ workout for pregnant or postpartum women; Health Sciences students are supposed to deliver a 5-10’ healthy and active lifestyle promotion video for pregnant or postpartum women; (2) Students may choose to deliver an original brochure/infographic regarding one of the topics addressed by the program (e.g., guidelines for exercise testing and prescription for pregnant or postpartum women; translation of the Active Pregnancy Guide); (3) Students may choose to deliver an original study or dissertation project regarding one of the topics addressed by the program. Deadline for submission: 30th June.

Recommended textbooks:

• Free download: ResearchGate

The program follows the occupational European lifelong learning standards by EuropeActive:

• Free download: EuropeActive

Please apply for Student Training Mobility via your Home University Erasmus+ Office. It is important that your mobility is financed by 2024-1-PT01-KA131-HED-000197497-2 agreement.

Conteúdo a mostrar/esconder

Participants are supposed to cover their travel expenses to Portugal, as well as food and accommodation in hotels in Rio Maior. Students can apply for an Erasmus+ grant through their own institution for travel and housing costs.

• https://www.pedradesal.com/pt/
• https://www.casadoforal.com/
• http://www.hotelpaulovi.pt/
• http://www.riomaiorhotel.com/

When booking, please write in the email: ESDRM Erasmus student

From the LISBON Airport, take a Taxi, the Metro (https://www.metrolisboa.pt/en/), or the Bus (https://www.carris.pt/en/) to SETE RIOS Bus Station (10 minutes). You can also walk 5.5 km in 1 hour! Then, take the BUS to RIO MAIOR (1 hour): https://rede-expressos.pt/en/timetables . Another option is to share a TAXI to ESCOLA SUPERIOR DE DESPORTO DE RIO MAIOR, Avenida Dr. Mário Soares, 110, 2040- 413 Rio Maior (±60€).

For more details regarding the program please contact: BIP Coordinator, Prof. Rita Santos Rocha (RitaSantosRocha@esdrm.ipsantarem.pt)

For more details regarding the Erasmus program please contact: IPSANTAREM ERASMUS Coordinator Dr. Céu Martins (ceu.martins@sc.ipsantarem.pt)

For more details regarding the Erasmus mobility program please contact the Erasmus Coordinator of your University.

Rita Santos Rocha

ESDRM Sport Sciences School of Rio Maior – Polytechnic Institute of Santarém Portugal