The association between first trimester physical activity levels and perinatal outcomes

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Perinatal Health
• Maternal-Fetal Medicine

Background:

• Physical activity during pregnancy is crucial for reducing adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes.
• Early pregnancy physical activity assessment is vital for understanding its impact on perinatal health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the association between first-trimester physical activity, measured by Kaiser Physical Activity Survey (KPAS) scores, and adverse perinatal outcomes.
• To determine if high physical activity levels in early pregnancy influence birthweight, neonatal morbidity, and hypertensive disorders.

Main Methods:

• Secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study involving 1,045 pregnant individuals.
• Kaiser Physical Activity Survey (KPAS) administered in the first trimester to assess physical activity levels.
• Multivariable logistic regression used to compare outcomes between high (≥75th percentile) and lower (<75th percentile) KPAS score groups, adjusting for confounders.

Main Results:

• Higher first-trimester physical activity was associated with numerically higher birthweights (P=.03) but no significant differences in small for gestational age (SGA) or large for gestational age (LGA) rates.
• Significantly decreased rates of composite neonatal morbidity (aRR 0.59; 95% CI 0.37, 0.89) and gestational hypertension (aRR 0.56; 95% CI 0.33, 0.89) were observed in highly active individuals.
• No significant differences were found in gestational weight gain, gestational diabetes, or preeclampsia incidence between groups.

Conclusions:

• Elevated physical activity levels in the first trimester of pregnancy are linked to improved perinatal outcomes.
• Higher early pregnancy physical activity is associated with increased birth weights and reduced rates of composite neonatal morbidity and gestational hypertension.