Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 19, 2025
05:17
Author Spotlight: Enhancing the Offspring Health in Rats with Maternal Exercise During Pregnancy
Published on: April 5, 2024
1.1K
Moderate intensity aerobic exercise during pregnancy and 1-month infant Morphometry
Samantha M McDonald1, Christy Isler2, Kelley Haven2
1Department of Foundational Sciences and Research, East Carolina University (ECU), Greenville, North Carolina, USA.
Birth Defects Research
|February 1, 2021
Summary
Prenatal aerobic exercise significantly reduced neonatal skinfold thickness and body fat percentage at one month. This exercise intervention may help prevent early childhood obesity.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Neonatal Health
- Exercise Physiology
Background:
- Prenatal maternal health significantly influences neonatal outcomes.
- Childhood obesity is a growing public health concern with early postnatal origins.
- The impact of supervised prenatal exercise on neonatal morphometry requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the effects of a supervised, prenatal aerobic exercise intervention on neonatal morphometry at one month of age.
- To determine if prenatal exercise influences neonatal weight, skinfold thickness, circumferences, and fat-free mass.
- To explore the potential of prenatal exercise as a strategy for preventing early postnatal overweight or obesity.
Main Methods:
- Secondary data analysis from a randomized controlled trial (RCT) involving pregnant women (n=128) from 2015-2018.
- Participants were assigned to a moderate-intensity aerobic exercise group (n=68) or a control group (light stretching/breathing, n=60).
- Neonatal morphometry (weight, skinfold thickness, circumferences, fat-free mass) was measured at 1 month; ANCOVA was used for intention-to-treat (ITT) and per-protocol analyses.
Main Results:
- Significant between-group differences were observed for neonatal skinfold thickness (ITT: 20.0 mm vs. 22.2 mm; p=.04; per protocol: 19.8 mm vs. 22.3 mm; p=.03).
- Neonatal percent body fat showed a significant difference in the per-protocol analysis (13.2% vs. 15.1%; p=.05).
- No significant differences were found for neonatal weight, abdominal/mid-upper arm circumferences, or fat-free mass between groups.
Conclusions:
- Supervised prenatal aerobic exercise positively impacts neonatal skinfold thickness and body fat percentage at one month postpartum.
- Adherence to recommended prenatal exercise levels (150 min/week, moderate-intensity) may be an effective strategy to mitigate the risk of neonatal overweight or obesity.
- Prenatal exercise interventions show promise for improving early neonatal body composition and potentially long-term metabolic health.
Related Concept Videos
01:17Exercise and Cardiac Output
1.6K
Regular physical activity is essential for maintaining cardiovascular health, with aerobic exercises being particularly effective. According to the American Heart Association, 150 minutes of moderate to intense aerobic exercise per week is recommended for a healthy heart. Aerobic activities may include brisk walking, running, bicycling, cross-country skiing, and swimming, ideally performed three to five times per week.
Sustained exercise increases the muscles' oxygen demand, which can be...
Sustained exercise increases the muscles' oxygen demand, which can be...
1.6K
01:20Exercise and Cardiovascular Response
3.6K
Exercise significantly impacts cardiovascular response, which is crucial for understanding patient health and designing effective treatment plans.
Light to moderate physical activity initiates a series of interconnected responses in the body. The heart rate modestly increases in anticipation of the workout, followed by widespread vasodilation as oxygen consumption by skeletal muscles increases. This results in decreased peripheral resistance, increased capillary blood flow, and accelerated...
Light to moderate physical activity initiates a series of interconnected responses in the body. The heart rate modestly increases in anticipation of the workout, followed by widespread vasodilation as oxygen consumption by skeletal muscles increases. This results in decreased peripheral resistance, increased capillary blood flow, and accelerated...
3.6K