Johaug Eyes Potential Comeback Armed with New Research & Elite Athlete Insights
Lausanne, Switzerland – As Therese Johaug prepares for motherhood, a growing body of research and the experiences of fellow elite athletes like Marit Bjørgen and Anna Jönsson Haag offer a roadmap for maintaining peak physical condition both during and after pregnancy. The question of whether Johaug can return to her championship-winning form is now fueled by scientific recommendations and firsthand accounts of accomplished postpartum athletic comebacks.
Recent studies, including one published in Frontiers in Physiology in May 2018 (Solli GS, Sandbakk Ø. Training characteristics During Pregnancy and Postpartum in the World’s Most Successful Cross Country Skier. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2018.00595), highlight the possibility of continued training throughout pregnancy and the postpartum period for elite athletes. these findings align with guidelines established by the IOC Expert Group Meeting in 2016/17, summarized in the British Journal of Sports Medicine (Bø K, et al. Exercise and pregnancy in recreational and elite athletes: 2016/17 evidence summary…. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2017-097964).
Marit Bjørgen, a highly decorated cross-country skier herself, successfully navigated pregnancy and returned to competition, demonstrating the viability of continued athletic performance. Anna Jönsson Haag,a Swedish skier,shares her own experience,emphasizing the importance of a strategic approach. “Like myself, and I wanted to feel strong during but also after my child’s birth,” she explains.
Jönsson Haag’s journey involved adapting her training regimen. After her first child, she began with walks and strength training, gradually reintroducing skiing, running, and more intense workouts after six weeks. She found cross-training on a cross trainer particularly beneficial in the early postpartum period. Her second pregnancy allowed for a more rapid return to training, noting she “felt stronger right away and could start working out more normally even if I was a bit careful with the running.” She adhered to recommendations of not pushing beyond 90% of maximum heart rate during pregnancy.
Jönsson Haag believes a comeback is entirely possible for Johaug, but stresses the individual nature of the process.”I would say absolutely! But there are so many factors you need to take into account…if everything goes well (or at least as much as possible) and you have the mental strength to stay focused…there are no limits! Our body is amazing, and I feel like I’m a better person since I had my kids. I’m more focused when I work out or race, but I can also relax more and don’t care much about my results. So, I would say yes. I could even be stronger than before!”
Ultimately, the decision rests with Johaug. Though, the combination of scientific guidance and the proven experiences of athletes like Bjørgen and Jönsson Haag provide a strong foundation for a potential return to competitive skiing.