HRB Conference and Event Sponsorship. Forward momentum: advancing the delivery of preconception, pregnancy and postpartum physical activity guidance and support across the island of Ireland.

Event to be carried out w/c 12th January 2026. Purpose: This all-island event will facilitate knowledge exchange between researchers and key stakeholders (e.g. healthcare professionals [HCPs], fitness professionals, policymakers and service-users including preconception, pregnant and postpartum individuals), regarding the delivery of physical activity (PA) support and guidance during these life-stages. Stakeholder engagement within the event will be used to co-create research priorities and direct future research related to PA support and guidance during preconception, pregnancy and postpartum on the island of Ireland. Importance: Overweight and obesity, gestational diabetes and high blood pressure are increasingly prevalent and are linked to poorer health and birth outcomes as well as increased postpartum prevalence of such conditions. PA is known to be beneficial to the health of mother and baby, and lowers the risk of these conditions, as well as reducing risk of emergency caesarean section, preterm birth, pre-eclampsia and postpartum depression. Despite this, all-island research shows a lack of support to be physically active during these life-stages, and HCPs, who are well placed to deliver such support, do not feel confident or equipped to do so. As such, the majority of preconception, pregnant and postpartum individuals do not achieve the PA guidelines and hence are at increased health risks. This event would facilitate knowledge exchange, network building and public and patient involvement (PPI) of key stakeholders who should be at the fore of addressing this challenge. The outcomes of this event would be co-created research priorities to direct future research focusing on PA guidance and support during preconception, pregnancy and postpartum on the island of Ireland. Dissemination: Dissemination will include a cross-institute press release and a post-event report summarising key discussions, stakeholder input, and co-developed research priorities to inform future preconception, pregnancy and postpartum-related PA funding proposals in an all-island context. Infographics and "short" style videos will be created for social media.