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Maternal Continuous vs. Intermittent Exercise and the Fetal heart
Author(s) -
May Linda Elizabeth,
Suminski Richard R,
Gustafson Kathleen M
Publication year - 2012
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.26.1_supplement.1142.38
Subject(s) - fetus , medicine , pregnancy , heart rate , balance (ability) , cardiology , endocrinology , obstetrics , blood pressure , physical therapy , biology , genetics
Objective We tested the hypothesis that regular intermittent exercise (i.e. yoga) during pregnancy is associated with changes in fetal cardiac development. Methods We used magnetocardiograms from 32 and 36 week fetuses (N=60). We marked normal R‐peaks to measure heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV). Activity questionnaires were used to calculate time (minutes) and intensity (kcal/min) for continuous and intermittent exercise per trimester. Correlation and regression analysis was performed. Maternal pre‐pregnancy BMI, weight gain, and fetal activity state were also assessed. Results Maternal body weight and BMI was not correlated with fetal measurements. Only 3rd trimester maternal activity was significantly related to fetal measures. Total continuous time is significantly associated with fetal HRV (VLF; p=0.04). Continuous intensity is significantly associated with lower fetal HR (p=0.03). Total time spent in intermittent activity is significantly associated with increased HRV (p≤0.04). There is no significant effect on fetal sympathovagal balance. Conclusion Maternal time spent exercising appears to be consistently important in influencing fetal heart outcomes. These data suggest a combination of continuous and intermittent exercise provide fetal heart benefits. Further studies need to be done to determine if noncontinuous exercise alone provides fetal cardiac changes. Grant Funding Source : none