The influence of Parent-Infant Joint Exercises on the physical and psychological health of mothers and infants

抄録

In this research, the effects of changes in the physical and psychological health of mothers and infants as a result of the Parent-Infant Joint Exercises were examined. Total 77 mothers raising 0-year-old infants were solicited and divided into the intervention group and the control group. The intervention group conducted the Parent-Infant Joint Exercises for 1 month. The control group was not asked to conduct the exercises. The physical and psychological health of the mothers and the infants were measured before and after the intervention. The intervention group was also surveyed on the day the exercises were implemented, to compare the health of their infants before and after the exercises. After adjustment, the results of total 63 pairs of the mothers and the infants of 2 to 9 months old were analyzed. The results indicated that the daily crying of the infants was reduced in a group which the mothers and their infants performed the Parent-Infant Joint Exercises frequently. In addition, it was found that immediately after the Parent-Infant Joint Exercises, the infants (3 to 9 months old) showed pleasant reactions, with increased levels of “relief/relaxation”, “enjoyment”, and “happiness”. This suggests that the implementation of Parent-Infant Joint Exercises may be an effective means of supporting child-rearing.