Voluntary physical activity increases maternal care and reduces anxiety- and depression-related behaviours during the postpartum period in mice.

A growing body of evidence suggests voluntary physical activity is associated with decreased stress-related disorders such as anxiety- and depression-like behaviours in both humans and rodents. The postpartum period is also a vulnerable transition time for the development of these neurobehavioural disorders in women. This study aimed to determine whether voluntary physical activity during pregnancy and postpartum period can increase maternal care and decrease anxiety- and depression-related behaviours in postpartum dams.