Abstract
Objective: Our purpose was to test the null hypothesis that beginning regular, moderate-intensity
exercise in early pregnancy has no effect on fetoplacental growth. Study Design: Forty-six women who did not exercise regularly were randomly assigned at 8 weeks
either to no exercise (n = 24) or to weight-bearing exercise (n = 22) 3 to 5 times
a week for the remainder of pregnancy. Outcome variables included antenatal placental
growth rate and neonatal and placental morphometric measurements. Results: The offspring of the exercising women were significantly heavier (corrected birth
weight: 3.75 ± 0.08 kg vs 3.49 ± 0.07 kg) and longer (51.8 ± 0.3 cm vs 50.6 ± 0.3
cm) than those born to control women. The difference in birth weight was the result
of an increase in both lean body mass and fat mass. In addition, midtrimester placental
growth rate was faster (26 ± 2 cm3/wk vs 21 ± 1 cm3/wk) and morphometric indexes of placental function were greater in the exercise group.
There were no significant differences in neonatal percentage body fat, head circumference,
ponderal index, or maternal weight gain. Conclusions: These data indicate that beginning a moderate regimen of weight-bearing exercise
in early pregnancy enhances fetoplacental growth. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2000;183:1484-8.)
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
March 10,
2000
Received in revised form:
January 10,
2000
Received:
September 10,
1999
Footnotes
☆Supported by grants HD21268, HD21109, and RR00080 from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and by funds from the MetroHealth Medical Center.
☆☆Reprint requests: James F. Clapp III, MD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, MetroHealth Medical Center, 2500 MetroHealth Dr, Cleveland, OH 44109.
Identification
Copyright
© 2000 Mosby, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
