The Impact of Physical Activity during Pregnancy on Weight Gain and Delivery Outcomes
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2018 |
| Type | Article in Periodical |
| Magazine / Source | SPORT TK-Revista EuroAmericana de Ciencias del Deporte |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Keywords | pregnancy; physical activity; delivery; weight gain; duration of labor; ELSPAC |
| Description | Abstract: Background: Regular physical activity during pregnancy has been previously associated with preventing delivery complications; however, the current evidence is inconsistent. herefore, this study analyzes how physical activity afects pre-term birth, Apgar score in the irst minute, birth weight, induction of labor, cesarean section, use of analgesia and anesthesia, duration of the second stage of labor and pregnancy weight gain. Methods: he study population, selected from European Longitudinal Study of Pregnancy and Childhood consisted of 2,921 women. Physical activity data were obtained via questionnaires self-administered during the second trimester, while data associated with delivery were obtained via questionnaires administrated by health care professionals. A univariate analysis was used to evaluate the inluence of physical activity on delivery complications. he efect of physical activity on weight gain during pregnancy and the second stage of labor duration were tested using a Mann- Whitney test and a one-sample t-test, respectively. Results: Analyzed delivery outcomes were found to be afected by maternal age, pre-pregnancy body mass and the number of previous live births. Neither particular physical activities nor their volume were found to inluence delivery complications or the duration of the second stage of labor. However, physical activities such as aerobics, keep it exercise, swimming, weight training and cycling were found to afect weight gain during pregnancy. Conclusions: Results of this study conirms that current physical activity recommendations for healthy pregnant women are linked to no negative efects on either the delivery or the unborn baby. |
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