Supervised and Unsupervised Physical Activity Programs in Pregnancy-There Is a Benefit for Both

Regular physical activity (PA) during pregnancy reduces the risk of cardiometabolic disease. The World Health Organization recommends a minimum of 150 min/week of moderate-intensity exercise for healthy pregnant women. However, these guidelines are not commonly met, and implications for pregnancy outcomes are not fully understood. This study is aimed at determining whether differences between a supervised and an independent training program affect gestational weight gain and birth outcomes.

Four hundred and seventy-eight pregnancies in two countries were investigated with either a supervised or unsupervised exercise program during pregnancy to compare maternal characteristics, PA levels, and birth outcomes and determine predictors of infant morphometrics.

Maternal participants had an average age of 31.7 years (±4.47) with a body mass index (BMI) of 25.07 (±5.18). Analysis of weight gain during pregnancy showed significant differences (p = 0.007), with a substantial increase in the supervised training program cohort (21.99 ± 36.34) compared to a moderate increase in the unsupervised cohort (14.22 ± 10.91). Women in the unsupervised group engaged in more intense and frequent physical activities. Weight gain during pregnancy had the most significant influence on birth weight. The most significant predictor of birth BMI was the intensity of maternal PA.

Supervised sports programs are helpful but not necessary to influence pregnancy outcomes. The intensity of PA is the most important issue.