Metabolomics to Understand Alterations Induced by Physical Activity during Pregnancy

Area of Science:

• Reproductive biology and metabolic health.
• Exercise physiology and metabolomics.

Background:

• Physical activity (PA) is linked to reduced risks of cancer, obesity, and diabetes.
• In pregnancy, PA decreases gestational weight gain (GWG) and risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), hypertension, and offspring macrosomia.
• PA influences metabolic pathways like BCAAs, lipids, and bile acids, improving insulin resistance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current understanding of metabolomics in relation to physical activity during pregnancy.
• To highlight the need for further research into the specific metabolic changes and biological mechanisms affected by PA in pregnant individuals.

Main Methods:

• This narrative review synthesizes findings from studies on physical activity metabolomics in pregnant populations.
• Utilizes various analytical platforms to analyze metabolic profiles.

Main Results:

• Existing research supports the influence of exercise on metabolism across different populations, including pregnant individuals and their offspring.
• PA shows promise for metabolic health, but specific changes in pregnancy are not fully elucidated.

Conclusions:

• Metabolomics provides insights into PA-induced metabolic alterations.
• Further investigation is crucial to clarify the metabolic impact of PA in healthy pregnancies due to limited research in this demographic.