Physical activity and maternal-fetal circulation measured by Doppler ultrasound

To examine the association of physical activity on maternal-fetal circulation measured by uterine and umbilical artery Doppler flow velocimetry waveforms.

Participants included 781 pregnant women with Doppler ultrasounds of the uterine and umbilical artery and who self-reported past week physical activity. Linear and generalized estimating equation regression models were used to examine these associations.

Moderate-to-vigorous total and recreational activity were associated with higher uterine artery pulsatility index (PI) and an increased risk of uterine artery notching as compared with reporting no total or recreational physical activity, respectively. Moderate-to-vigorous work activity was associated with lower uterine artery PI and a reduced risk of uterine artery notching as compared with no work activity. No associations were identified with the umbilical circulation measured by the resistance index.

In this epidemiologic study, recreational and work activity were associated with opposite effects on uterine artery PI and uterine artery notching, although associations were modest in magnitude.