The impact of physical activity during pregnancy on maternal weight and obstetric outcomes

Abstract

The results demonstrate that physical activity during pregnancy for at least 21 minutes per day in the second half of the pregnancy reduces the risk of excess weight gain during pregnancy.

A study of physical activity levels of pregnant women using the Polish version of Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire (PPAQ-Pl)

“…The highest percentage of women reported undertaking light and moderate physical activity (Tab. 3). No woman in the third trimester of pregnancy reported vigorous physical activity (> 6.0 MET) or activities associated with occupation or transportation.…”

“…As indicated by other authors decreased physical activity can also result from the lack of exercising habits related to the development of the awareness of physical activity. Experts propose that [3,26,27]. The most beneficial forms of physical activity for pregnant women are walking, gymnastics, yoga, and swimming.…”

“…The results of epidemiological studies from a number of countries have confirmed beneficial effects of physical activity during pregnancy on the mother's and child's health [1,2]. Regular physical exercises were shown to have a positive impact on cardiovascular endurance, lower the risk of excessive body weight gain [3], relieve spinal pains, and reduce depressive symptoms during pregnancy [4] and after childbirth as well as contribute to regaining proper body weight after childbirth. Increased physical activity during pregnancy is also associated with a lower risk of caesarean delivery [5], respiratory diseases, and macrosomia in newborns.…”

Physical Activity Patterns among 9000 Pregnant Women in Poland: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Physical activity during pregnancy contributes to improved fitness and is associated with a decreased risk of preeclampsia [2] or gestational diabetes [3]. In addition, it helps to avoid excessive gestational weight gain [4] and improves the quality of life [5]. Recent studies have proven that exercising during pregnancy does not influence the risk of preterm labor or delivering a newborn small for gestational age [6][7][8][9][10][11].…”

Impact of Physical Activity During Pregnancy on Obstetric Outcomes in Taif, Saudi Arabia.

“…18 A recent study that enrolled 57 pregnant women reported no significant effect of PA duration over occurrence of low birth weight, the gestation age at birth and delivery method. 19 A meta-analysis that included eight cohort studies reported that PA was inversely associated with inversely associated with birth weight and large for gestational age. 20 The study from China reported that physical activity of more than 150 minutes/ week had strong influence over the success rate of vaginal birth.…”