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Mom's and Baby's ANSWER: ANS When Exercising Regularly
Author(s) -
May Linda E,
Gustafson Kathleen M,
Glaros Alan G,
Yeh Henry,
Suminski Richard S
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.25.1_supplement.61.4
The cardiovascular benefits of exercise are well known for adults and promoted by AHA, ACSM, and the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. However, few studies have determined how exercise during pregnancy influences the cardiovascular system of mother and baby. Magnetocardiograms (MCG) were performed during and after pregnancy to determine if exercise changes the cardiac autonomic nervous system in mother and offspring. Findings demonstrate maternal and fetal cardiac autonomic nervous system is altered from regular exercise throughout gestation. Furthermore, the lower heart rate and increased heart rate variability seen in the fetus, persists after birth. The cardiac autonomic measurements found in this study parallel those seen in the adult in response to exercise training. This research demonstrates that regular maternal exercise throughout pregnancy leads to cardiovascular benefits for mother and baby. Ultimately, this study suggests that exercise during gestation maintains maternal cardiovascular health and may be the earliest intervention for cardiovascular health promotion and disease prevention for the baby.