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Impact of physical activity during pregnancy on infant neurodevelopment
Cristina Silvente Troncoso1, Carmen Hern'ández-Mart'ínez1,2,3, N'úria Voltas Moreso1,2,3,4
1Research Group in Nutrition and Mental Health (NUTRISAM), Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Spain.
Insights
Engaging in moderate to high-intensity physical activity (PA) during pregnancy positively influences infant neurodevelopment. This research highlights the benefits of maternal exercise for enhanced language and motor skills in newborns.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Pediatrics
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Maternal physical activity (PA) during pregnancy is crucial for maternal and fetal well-being.
- Understanding the specific impact of PA intensity and timing on infant neurodevelopment is essential for evidence-based recommendations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prospectively investigate the impact of maternal physical activity intensity during pregnancy on infant neurodevelopment.
- To identify the influence of the trimester in which physical activity is performed on neurodevelopmental outcomes.
- To account for confounding factors such as sociodemographics, maternal mental health, and lifestyle.
Main Methods:
- A prospective follow-up study involving 791 pregnant women.
- Physical activity levels were assessed per trimester using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ).
- Infant neurodevelopment was evaluated at 40 days postpartum using the Bayley Scales for Infant Development-Third Edition (BSID-III), with analyses adjusted for multiple covariates.
Main Results:
- Infants born to mothers engaging in moderate and high PA in the third trimester scored significantly higher on language and motor scales.
- Specifically, moderate PA was associated with 3.2 points higher language scores and 4.1 points higher motor scores.
- High PA was linked to 3.8 points higher language scores and 5.1 points higher motor scores compared to low PA.
Conclusions:
- Moderate to high-intensity physical activity during pregnancy demonstrates a positive association with enhanced infant neurodevelopment.
- Findings suggest the need for updated international guidelines and maternal education programs to promote beneficial physical activity during pregnancy.
Objectives:
To investigate prospectively the impact of physical activity during pregnancy on infant neurodevelopment, considering relevant confounding factors, physical activity intensity and the trimester of pregnancy in which it is performed.
Methods:
Prospective follow-up study of 791 pregnant women from the first trimester of pregnancy to 40 days postpartum. Three intensity levels of physical activity were assessed in each trimester of pregnancy by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Infant neuro development was assessed at 40 days postpartum by the third edition of the Bayley Scales for Infant Development-Third Edition (BSID-III). Analysis adjusted by sociodemographics, anxiety symptoms, lifestyle habits, quality of diet, body mass index, postpartum depressive symptoms and mother-infant attachment.
Results:
ANCOVA analysis have shown that 40 days old infants of mothers in the moderate and high PA groups in the third trimester obtained 3.2 and 3.8 points higher scores respectively in the language total scale; and 4.1 and 5.1 points higher scores respectively in the motor total scale than infants of mothers in the low PAgroup.
Conclusion:
Moderate to high intensity physical activity during pregnancy has a positive impact on infant neurodevelopment. More specific recommendations must be incorporated in international guidelines and into maternal education sessions to improve infants' neurodevelopment.
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