Impact of Physical Activity Interventions on High-Risk Pregnancies: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Pregnant women with absolute contraindications may be advised against physical activity throughout pregnancy. In this context, bed rest elevates the short-term risk of neonatal complications, thereby exacerbating negative long-term effects on childhood development. The aim of the current study was to investigate the impact of various physical activity interventions during bed rest or activity restriction in pregnancy on factors such as birth weight, preterm birth, maternal hypertension, gestational age at delivery, and the incidence of cesarean sections. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, a systematic review was designed. The protocol was registered in the International Prospective Registry of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) (CRD42022370875). Nine studies, with a total sample of 3173 women, from six countries on four continents were included. There were significant differences in the relationship between bed rest status and birth weight (Z = 2.64; p = 0.008) (MD = 142.57, 95% CI = 36.56, 248.58, I2 = 0%, Pheterogeneity = 0.45) favourable to active groups. No significant differences were found in other analyzed outcomes. Pregnant women who experience this problem must maintain a minimum of daily activity to alleviate these physiological complications and the medical field must understand the consequences of physical inactivity during pregnancy.

Influence of Physical Activity during Pregnancy on Maternal Hypertensive Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Gestational hypertension is a notable concern with ramifications for maternal and fetal health. Preemptive measures, including physical activity (PA), are crucial. There is a pressing need for comprehensive investigations into the impact of various forms of PA on hypertensive disorders. A systematic review and meta-analysis (CRD42022372468) following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines was performed. Our review exclusively considered randomized clinical trials (RCTs) between 2010 and 2023, using the following databases: EBSCO, including Academic Search Premier, Education Resources Information Center, PubMed/MEDLINE, SPORTDiscus, and OpenDissertations; Clinicaltrials.gov; Web of Science; Scopus; the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews; and the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro). The primary outcome was hypertensive disorders occurring during pregnancy (14 studies). Diagnosed preeclampsia (15 studies) and blood pressure levels were also examined (17 studies). PA during pregnancy was significantly associated with a reduced risk of hypertensive disorders (RR = 0.44, 95% CI = 0.30, 0.66). The data also indicate a positive correlation between PA during pregnancy and both systolic (MD = -2.64, 95% CI = -4.79, -0.49) and diastolic (MD = -1.99, 95% CI = -3.68, -0.29) blood pressure levels. The relationship between PA and the incidence of diagnosed preeclampsia did not demonstrate a statistically significant association (RR = 0.81, 95% CI = 0.59, 1.11; p = 0.20). Random effects were used for all analyses. PA during pregnancy promises to improve maternal health by reducing the risk of gestational hypertension and positively affecting systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

Influence of Physical Activity during Pregnancy on Neonatal Complications: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Newborn hospitalisations after delivery are indicators of poor neonatal health with potential risks of future diseases for children. Interventions to promote a healthy environment have been used during pregnancy, with physical activity as a principal element. A systematic review and meta-analyses were performed to evaluate the effect of physical activity during pregnancy on neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admissions and Apgar 1 and 5 scores (Registration No.: CRD42022372493). Fifty studies (11,492 pregnant women) were included. There were significantly different rates of NICU admissions between groups (RR = 0.76, 95% CI = 0.62, 0.93; Z = 2.65, p = 0.008; I2 = 0%, and Pheterogeneity = 0.78), and significant differences in Apgar 1 (Z = 2.04; p = 0.04) (MD = 0.08, 95% CI = 0.00, 0.17, I2 = 65%, Pheterogeneity = 0.00001) and Apgar 5 (Z = 3.15; p = 0.002) (MD = 0.09, 95% CI = 0.04, 0.15, I2 = 80%, and Pheterogeneity = 0.00001), favouring intervention groups. Physical activity during pregnancy could help to reduce the risk of NICU admissions that are related to neonatal complications.

Fetal and maternal Doppler adaptation to maternal exercise during pregnancy: a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Regular and supervised exercise during pregnancy is worldwide recommended due to its proven benefits, but, during exercise, maternal blood flow is redirected from the viscera to the muscles and how fetal wellbeing may be affected by this redistribution is still not well known.

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the longitudinal effect of a supervised moderate physical exercise program during pregnancy on uteroplacental and fetal Doppler parameters.

METHODS

This is a planned secondary analysis of an randomized controlled trial (RCT), performed at Hospital Universitario de Torrejón, Madrid, Spain, including 124 women randomized from 12⁺⁰ to 15⁺⁶ weeks of gestation to exercise vs. control group. Fetal umbilical artery (UA), middle cerebral artery, and uterine artery pulsatility index (PI), were longitudinally collected by Doppler ultrasound assessment throughout gestation, and derived cerebroplacental ratio (normalized by z-score), and maternal mean PI in the uterine arteries (normalized by multiplies of the median). Obstetric appointments were scheduled at 12 (baseline, 12⁺⁰ to 13⁺⁵), 20 (19⁺⁰ to 24⁺²), 28 (26⁺³ to 31⁺³) and 35 weeks (32⁺⁶ to 38⁺⁶) of gestation. Generalized estimating equations were adjusted to assess longitudinal changes in the Doppler measurements according to the randomization group.

RESULTS

No significant differences in the fetal or maternal Doppler measurements were found at any of the different checkup time points studied. The only variable that consistently affected the Doppler standardized values was gestational age at the time of assessment. The evolution of the UA PI z-score during the pregnancy was different in the two study groups, with a higher z-score in the exercise group at 20 weeks and a subsequent decrease until delivery while in the control group it remained stable at around zero.

CONCLUSIONS

A regular supervised moderate exercise program during pregnancy does not deteriorate fetal or maternal ultrasound Doppler parameters along the pregnancy, suggesting that the fetal well-being is not compromised by the exercise intervention. Fetal UA PI z-score decreases during pregnancy to lower levels in the exercise group compared with the control group.

Physical Activity and Self-Perception of Mental and Physical Quality of Life during Pregnancy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Self-perception of health status (quality of life) is considered one of the best indicators of health and well-being. However, during pregnancy, it could be impacted not only by physiological and anatomical changes, but by poor lifestyle habits like high sedentary behaviour or bad nutrition. This study assesses the effects of physical activity RCT interventions during pregnancy on both mental and physical components of quality of life. A systematic review and two meta-analyses were performed (PROSPERO registration number: CRD42022370467). Of the 207 articles captured both in English and Spanish, seven articles were deemed eligible for inclusion. The two analyses performed found that physically active pregnant women had better scores of mental self-perception of quality of life (z = 2.08, p = 0.04; SMD = 0.34, 95% CI = 0.02, 0.67, I2 = 76%, Pheterogeneity = 0.0004) and in physical self-perceived health status (z = 2.19, p = 0.03; SMD = 0.33, 95% CI = 0.03, 0.63, I2 = 71%, Pheterogeneity = 0.002) compared to control group pregnant women. Physical activity interventions could potentially increase mental and physical self-perception of quality of life during pregnancy.

Effect of Increasing the Number of Substitutions on Physical Performance during Periods of Congested Fixtures in Football

(I) This study aimed to evaluate the impact on physical demands induced by FIFA's new rule implemented based on the number of substitutions caused by COVID-19. (II) Sixty-six matches were analysed in peak periods (microcycles of three matches in a week) in the competition period before and after the pandemic. The variables collected were organised by team (22 from LaLiga^TM SmartBank 2019-2020) for a total of 132 team records and 1077 player performance reports using a multi-camera tracking system and Mediacoach^® software. Physical performance variables were analysed in the first half, second half and whole match, thus determining the individual and collective performances of the team. (III) This study shows how, despite the increase in substitutions allowed with the new rule, physical performance increased in some variables in the congested periods (e.g., total distance run and distance run in the first and second halves). Additionally, the players' physical performance involved in a substitution was greater than it was for players who completed the game. (IV) The new substitution rule helps to maintain and even improve physical performance. This measure could improve intensity levels in both individual and team performance. It could even safeguard the physical integrity of the players by reducing the risk of injury, as fewer players have to play the full match.

Level of Physical Activity in Pregnant Populations from Different Geographic Regions: A Systematic Review

The aim of this study was to examine the level of physical activity during pregnancy in different populations worldwide. An intensive search was carried out from February until May 2021. The inclusion criteria were original studies of healthy pregnant women, and the main study variable was the assessment of physical activity. A total of 110 out of 1451 studies were assessed for inclusion, using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale for quality, and for the risk of bias. The 44 analyzed articles were divided into 5 tables according to the characteristics of the intervention and the validated instrument used to measure physical activity (PA). A total of 59.09% of the studies indicated that participants had a low level of physical activity during pregnancy. In addition, the median quality score of the studies was 7.12, and 77.27% of the studies were cataloged as having a high-quality score. Although international guidelines recommend that women without a contraindication engage in prenatal physical activity, the results of the present study show that the level of PA is too low for women to achieve scientifically proven maternal-fetal benefits. Failure to achieve the recommended levels of weekly physical activity could pose significant risks to maternal well-being.

A Virtual Exercise Program throughout Pregnancy during the COVID-19 Pandemic Modifies Maternal Weight Gain, Smoking Habits and Birth Weight—Randomized Clinical Trial

The intrauterine environment is key to health from a short- and long-term perspective. Birth weight is an important indicator that may influence the fetal environment due to epigenetics. Considering physical inactivity, in parallel with higher levels of stress, affecting smoking patterns and the physical and emotional health of the pregnant population, maintaining the health of future generations is crucial. A randomized clinical trial (NCT04563065) was conducted. One-hundred and ninety-two healthy pregnant individuals were assigned to the intervention (IG) or control (CG) group. Overall, significant differences were found between groups when stratified by birth weight (χ2 (1) = 6.610; p = 0.037) with low birth weight and macrosomia found more often in the CG (4% vs. 14% and 3% vs. 9%, respectively) and higher admissions to the neonatal intensive care unit (χ2 (1) = 5.075; p = 0.024) in the CG (20/28.6%) compared to the IG (9/13.0). Smoking during pregnancy was also found more often in the CG (12/17.1%) compared to the IG (3/4.4%) (p = 0.016). A virtual program of supervised exercise throughout pregnancy during the ongoing pandemic could help to maintain adequate birth weights, modify maternal smoking habits, and lower admissions to the neonatal intensive care unit.

Exercise throughout Pregnancy Prevents Excessive Maternal Weight Gain during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Randomized Clinical Trial

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a virtual exercise program throughout pregnancy during the COVID-19 pandemic on maternal weight gain. A randomized clinical trial (NCT NCT04563065) was performed. In total, 300 pregnant individuals were assessed for eligibility, and a total of 157 were randomized, of which 79 were in the control group (CG), and 78 were in the intervention group (IG). Those in the intervention group participated in a virtual supervised exercise program throughout pregnancy, 3 days per week. Fewer pregnant participants exceeded the weight gain recommendations in the IG group than in the CG (n = 4/5.9% vs. n = 31/43.1%, p = 0.001). Weight gain during pregnancy was lower in the IG than in the CG (9.96 ± 3.27 kg vs. 12.48 ± 4.87 kg, p = 0.001). Analysis of subgroups based on pre-pregnancy body mass index, showed significant differences in excessive maternal weight gain between study groups in normal-weight (IG, n = 0/0% vs. CG, n = 10/25%, p = 0.001) and those with overweight (IG, n = 2/18% vs. CG, n = 12/60%, p = 0.025). A virtual supervised exercise program throughout pregnancy could be a clinical tool to manage maternal weight gain during the COVID-19 pandemic by controlling excessive gain.

Analysis of Physical Demands in Four Tug of War World Indoor Championships (2010-2016)

Background: Tug-of-war (TOW) is one of the oldest sports in current existence and is an internationally played activity that includes professional and amateur sport athletes, played according to the rules laid out by the Tug of War International Federation (TWIF). In this type of competition, the two teams of eight members each pull against one another on a rope. The team that pulls the opposing team towards a centerline for a distance of 4 m in two pulls out of three is considered the winning team in an international competition. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no previous scientific articles have described data during a follow-up period of Championships in TOW. Therefore, the main aim of this study was to analyze the duration of the matches, differentiating between the first (T1) and second pull (T2) of each match. Methods: The pulls were compared in the qualification point phase and the final phase, as well as in each weight category. In addition, any differences between the statistics for each of the four World Championships studied were analyzed. Finally, the total volume of pulls in each weight category was studied, both in the open club competition and in the national team competition. Data were collected from four World Indoor Championships (2010−2016). A total of 1862 matches were registered (3724 pulls), differentiating the first (T1) and second (T2) pull. The data were expressed as means (M) ± standard deviations (SD). Results: (1) The second pull is shorter than the first: T1 < T2, p < 0.001, (Es = 0.452; small effect); (2) T1 and T2 times were longer in the final phase than the qualifying phase: T1 phase2 > T1 phase1, p < 0.05 (ES = 0.469; small effect) and T2 phase2 > T2 phase1, (p < 0.05), (ES = 0.486; small effect); (3) there are statistical differences (p < 0.005) in T1 and T2 at all weights, except for T1 at 500 kg and T2 at 640 kg; (4) the comparison among World Championships does not present significant changes in the duration of the pulls; (5) however, in females, significant differences (p < 0.05) between the 2010 World Championships and the remainder in T1 are observed; (6) the volumes that we should take into account when designing the preparation should be those obtained when 11 teams compete against each other, considering the maximum volume that we could find in the competition. Conclusion: This first aspect of the reality of TOW indoor competitions, specifically the duration of the matches, leads to a better understanding of the demands of the sport and the type of effort required. These ideas may help coaches in the design of training plans, maximizing their specificity and their effectiveness.

Exercise During Pregnancy and Prenatal Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Prenatal depression is associated with an increased risk of physical, physiological, cardiovascular, and psychological diseases for mothers and future newborns. Prenatal depression and depressive symptoms could have negative effects on the cognitive, emotional, social, and behavioral development of children. Objective: This study aimed to examine the influence of exercise during pregnancy on the prevalence of prenatal depression and depressive symptoms in the scientific literature. Data Sources: A search was carried out examining different online databases up to November 2020. Methods of Study Selection: A systematic review with random effects meta-analysis was performed. Only randomized controlled trials published in English or Spanish with pregnant populations and interventions with exercise programs carried out during pregnancy were included. The scores obtained by the tools that measured the emotional state and depressive symptoms as well as the number and percentage of depressed women of the study groups were analyzed. Tabulation, Integration, and Results: We analyzed 15 studies and found a negative association between moderate exercise during pregnancy and prenatal depression (ES = -0.36, 95% CI = -0.58, -13, I 2 = 80.2%, Pheterogeneity = 0.001). In addition, the studies also showed that women who were inactive during pregnancy had a 16% higher probability of suffering prenatal depression [RR = 0.84 (95% IC = 0.74, 0.96) I 2 = 61.9%, Pheterogeneity = 0.010]. Conclusion: Supervised exercise during pregnancy may be useful for the prevention and reduction of prenatal depression and depressive symptoms. Systematic Review Registration: Registered in PROSPERO (Registration No. CRD42020164819).

Post-exercise Recovery Methods Focus on Young Soccer Players: A Systematic Review

Background: Prescription of post-match or post-training recovery strategies in young soccer players is a key point to optimize soccer performance. Considering that the effectiveness of recovery strategies may present interindividual variability, scientific evidence-based recovery methods and protocols used in adults are possibly not applicable to young soccer players. Therefore, the current systematic review primarily aimed to present a critical appraisal and summary of the original research articles that have evaluated the effectiveness of recovery strategies in young male soccer players and to provide sufficient knowledge regarding the effectiveness of the recovery methods and strategies.

Methodology: A structured search was carried out following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines until November 31, 2020, using the next data bases: WOS, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Evidence Database (PEDro), Evidence Based Medicine (EBM) Search review, EMBASE, and Scopus. There were no filters applied.

Results: A total of 638 articles were obtained in the initial search. After the inclusion and exclusion criteria, the final sample was 10 articles focusing on recovery in young male players.

Conclusions: Neuromuscular performance can be recovered using WVB but not with SS, and water immersion protocols may also be useful, but their positive effects are not significant, and it is unable to distinguish the best water immersion method; match running performance maintenance may be achieved using water immersion protocols but no other recovery methods have been investigated; EIMD and inflammatory responses could be positively affected when water immersion and AR are applied, although SS seems to be ineffective; perceptual responses also seem to be better with CWI and WVB, but contradictory results have been found when AR is applied, and SS had no positive impact. Finally, it is important to consider that AR strategies may modify HR response and soccer-specific performance.

Effectiveness of a Virtual Exercise Program During COVID-19 Confinement on Blood Pressure Control in Healthy Pregnant Women

BACKGROUND

The situation caused by COVID-19 has led to movement restrictions for the majority of the population due to the confinement established by the health authorities. This new situation has changed people's habits and significantly affected the pregnant population. Decreased exercise and increased psychophysical stress are associated with excessive weight gain, diabetes, and gestational cardiovascular complications that affect the mother, fetus, and newborn. Recent research shows that the dynamics of maternal blood pressure is one of the most important control factors during pregnancy. Thus, prevention of these type of pathologies through interventions without maternal-fetal risks is important.

OBJECTIVES

To examine the influence of a virtual exercise program on maternal blood pressure during pregnancy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A randomized clinical trial design was used (NCT04563065). Data from 72 pregnant women without obstetric contraindications under confinement conditions in the Madrid area were collected. Women were randomly assigned to the intervention (IG) or control group (CG). They previously signed informed consent forms. A moderate exercise program was performed as an intervention from 8-10 to 38-39 weeks of pregnancy. Systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) maternal blood pressure were measured during the first, second and third trimesters of pregnancy, as well as before and immediately after delivery in both study groups.

RESULTS

No differences in systolic and diastolic blood pressure during the first, second and third trimesters were found between groups. Significant differences in SBP were found immediately before delivery (IG = 119.83 ± 10.16 vs. CG = 125.6 ± 10.91; p = 0.047) and immediately after delivery (IG = 115.00 ± 11.18 vs. CG = 122.24 ± 15.71; p = 0.045).

CONCLUSIONS

Results show lower SBP values for the IG during delivery than CG. A virtual exercise program throughout pregnancy during COVID-19 confinement can help to control systolic blood pressure before and immediately after delivery in healthy pregnant women.

Effect of Caffeine Supplementation on Sports Performance Based on Differences Between Sexes: A Systematic Review

Most studies that have shown the positive effects of caffeine supplementation on sports performance have been carried out on men. However, the differences between sexes are evident in terms of body size, body composition, and hormonal functioning, which might cause different outcomes on performance for the same dosage of caffeine intake in men vs. women. The main aim of this systematic review was to analyze and compare the effects of caffeine intake between men and women on sports performance to provide a source of knowledge to sports practitioners and coaches, especially for those working with women athletes, on the use of caffeine as an ergogenic aid. A structured search was carried out following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines in the Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Scopus databases until 28 July 2019. The search included studies in which the effects of caffeine supplementation on athletic performance were compared between sexes and to an identical placebo situation (dose, duration and timing). No filters were applied for participants’ physical fitness level or age. A total of 254 articles were obtained in the initial search. When applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, the final sample was 10 articles. The systematic review concluded that four investigations (100% of the number of investigations on this topic) had not found differences between sexes in terms of caffeine supplementation on aerobic performance and 3/3 (100%) on the fatigue index. However, four out of seven articles (57.1%) showed that the ergogenicity of caffeine for anaerobic performance was higher in men than women. In particular, it seems that men are able to produce more power, greater total weight lifted and more speed with the same dose of caffeine than women. In summary, caffeine supplementation produced a similar ergogenic benefit for aerobic performance and the fatigue index in men and women athletes. Nevertheless, the effects of caffeine to produce more power, total weight lifted and to improve sprint performance with respect to a placebo was higher in men than women athletes despite the same dose of caffeine being administered. Thus, the ergogenic effect of acute caffeine intake on anaerobic performance might be higher in men than in women.

Exercise during pregnancy has a preventative effect on excessive maternal weight gain and gestational diabetes. A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Excessive gestational weight gain is associated with several adverse events and pathologies during pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of an exercise program throughout pregnancy on maternal weight gain and prevalence of gestational diabetes.

METHOD

A randomized controlled trial was designed that included an exercise intervention group (EG) and standard care control group (CG). The exercise intervention included moderate aerobic exercise performed three days per week (50-55minutes per session) for 8-10 weeks to 38-39 weeks gestation.

RESULTS

594 pregnant women were assessed for eligibility and 456 were included (EG n=234; CG n=222). The results showed a higher percentage of pregnant women gained excessive weight in the CG than in the EG (30.2% vs 20.5% respectively; odds ratio, 0.597; 95% confidence interval, 0.389-0.916; p=0.018). Similarly, the prevalence of gestational diabetes was significantly higher in the CG than the EG (6.8% vs 2.6% respectively; odds ratio, 0.363; 95% confidence interval, 0.138-0.953; p=0.033).

CONCLUSION

The results of this trial indicate that exercise throughout pregnancy can reduce the risk of excessive maternal weight gain and gestational diabetes.

Aquatic Activities During Pregnancy Prevent Excessive Maternal Weight Gain and Preserve Birth Weight: A Randomized Clinical Trial

PURPOSE

The aim of the present study was to examine the influence of a supervised and regular program of aquatic activities throughout gestation on maternal weight gain and birth weight.

DESIGN

A randomized clinical trial.

SETTING

Instituto de Obstetricia, Ginecología y Fertilidad Ghisoni (Buenos Aires, Argentina).

PARTICIPANTS

One hundred eleven pregnant women were analyzed (31.6 ± 3.8 years). All women had uncomplicated and singleton pregnancies; 49 were allocated to the exercise group (EG) and 62 to the control group (CG).

INTERVENTION

The intervention program consisted of 3 weekly sessions of aerobic and resistance aquatic activities from weeks 10 to 12 until weeks 38 to 39 of gestation.

MEASURES

Maternal weight gain, birth weight, and other maternal and fetal outcomes were obtained by hospital records.

ANALYSIS

Student unpaired t test and χ² test were used; P values ≤.05 indicated statistical significance. Cohen's d was used to determinate the effect size.

RESULTS

There was a higher percentage of women with excessive maternal weight gain in the CG (45.2%; n = 28) than in the EG (24.5%; n = 12; odds ratio = 0.39; 95% confidence interval: 0.17-0.89; P = .02). Birth weight and other pregnancy outcomes showed no differences between groups.

CONCLUSION

Three weekly sessions of water activities throughout pregnancy prevents excessive maternal weight gain and preserves birth weight.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The clinicaltrial.gov identifier: NCT 02602106.

A Program of Exercise Throughout Pregnancy. Is it Safe to Mother and Newborn?

Purpose.

The aim of the present study was to examine the influence of a program of moderate physical exercise throughout pregnancy on maternal and fetal parameters.

Design.

The study design was a randomized controlled trial.

Setting.

The study took place at the Hospital of Fuenlabrada in Madrid, Spain.

Sample.

Analyzed were 200 pregnant women (31.54 ± 3.86 years), all of whom had uncomplicated and singleton gestation. Of these subjects, 107 were allocated to the exercise group (EG) and 93 to the control group (CG).

Intervention.

Women from EG participated in a physical conditioning program throughout pregnancy, which included a total of 55- to 60-minute weekly sessions, 3 days per week.

Measures.

Pregnancy outcomes. Maternal: gestational age, weight gain, type of delivery, blood pressure during pregnancy, gestational diabetes (n/%). Fetal: birth weight, birth size, head circumference, Apgar score, pH of umbilical cord.

Analysis.

Student's unpaired t-test and χ2 test were used; p values of ≤ .05 indicated statistical significance. Cohen's d was used to determine the effect size.

Results.

There were significantly more pregnant women in the CG who gained excessive weight during their pregnancies than in the EG group (CG: N = 31, 35.6% versus N = 22, 21.2%; χ2 = 4.95; p =.02). The effect size was small (Phi value =.16). Other pregnancy outcome showed no differences between groups.

Conclusion.

A regular and moderate physical exercise program throughout pregnancy is not a risk to maternal and fetal well-being, and it helps to control excessive weight gain.

Exercise During Pregnancy Attenuates Prenatal Depression

Recent studies have estimated the prevalence of depression during pregnancy to be between 10% and 30%, which is higher than that in the postpartum period. Pharmacological treatment during pregnancy is difficult because of the possible side effects of antidepressants on the mother and the fetus. The aim of this study was to examine whether a supervised exercise program (EP) reduces depressive symptoms in pregnant women. A randomized controlled trial was designed. One hundred eighty four healthy pregnant women from Fuenlabrada Hospital were included (31.37 ± 3.62 years). Women from the exercise group (EG) participated in a supervised EP consisting of three, 55- to 60-min sessions per week throughout pregnancy. The main outcome measure was the patients’ depression level assessed by means of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). A total of 167 pregnant women were analyzed; 90 were allocated to the EG and 77 to the control group (CG). Significant differences were found between groups at the end of the study in CES-D scores (EG: 7.67 ± 6.30 vs. CG: 11.34 ± 9.74, p = .005) and in percentages of pregnant women depressed (EG: n = 11/12.2% vs. CG: n = 19/24.7%, p = .04). Our results show that supervised physical exercise during pregnancy reduces the level of depression and its incidence in pregnant women.