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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 15, 2025

Author Spotlight: Enhancing the Offspring Health in Rats with Maternal Exercise During Pregnancy

Author Spotlight: Enhancing the Offspring Health in Rats with Maternal Exercise During Pregnancy

Published on: April 5, 2024

Perinatal Exercise and Cardiovascular Disease Risk.

Marnie K McLean¹, Bradley J Petek², Lidija McGrath²

¹Department of Applied Exercise Science, School of Kinesiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.

|May 13, 2025

Summary

Perinatal exercise guidelines are established, but more research is needed for specific subgroups. Regular physical activity during pregnancy benefits cardiovascular health by managing weight, blood pressure, and glucose levels.

Keywords:

cardiovascular disease– physical activity exercise perinatal pregnancy

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Area of Science:

Obstetrics and Gynecology
Cardiovascular Health
Exercise Science

Background:

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors can emerge during pregnancy.
International guidelines recommend perinatal exercise, but evidence for specific populations is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

To summarize current perinatal exercise guidelines.
To review the associations between physical activity and CVD risk during the perinatal period.

Main Methods:

Narrative review of observational studies, randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses.
Identification of literature gaps and future research directions.

Main Results:

Perinatal physical activity and exercise are recommended for managing traditional CVD risk factors (e.g., gestational weight gain, hypertension, hyperglycemia).
Exercise may improve nontraditional risk factors like sleep quality and depression.
Emerging data suggest associations with pregnancy-specific factors, including placental characteristics.

Conclusions:

Current guidelines for perinatal exercise are largely consistent internationally.
Further research is warranted to support nuanced advice for specific subgroups, longer-term outcomes, and resistance exercise.
Investigating associations with pregnancy-specific CVD risk factors and adherence strategies is crucial.