Key result
Treadmill exercise during pregnancy increases maternal plasma noradrenaline by ~64% and fetal heart rate.
Why the study?
Does dynamic exercise affect maternal cardiovascular and catecholamine responses and fetal heart rate during pregnancy?
Does dynamic exercise affect maternal cardiovascular and catecholamine responses and fetal heart rate during pregnancy?
Dynamic exercise during pregnancy increases maternal catecholamine levels and fetal heart rate, independent of uterine contractions.
Exercise may transiently raise fetal heart rate; leaves open whether guidelines should restrict dynamic activity in uncomplicated pregnancies.
Fourteen women performed treadmill exercise for continuous 10-minute periods at levels of 2, 3 and 4 mets in the second and third trimester of pregnancy and again postpartum. The percentage increase in heart rate in response to exercise was similar during pregnancy and postpartum while systolic blood pressure was increased only during pregnancy. Maternal plasma noradrenaline levels at peak exercise increased 64% (p less than 0.005), 42% (p less than 0.005) and 29% (NS) in the 3 studies respectively compared to resting levels at these times. Ten women experienced increased uterine activity during the exercise or recovery periods. Fetal heart rate was increased (p less than 0.05) by exercise but this was independent of uterine contractions and plasma noradrenaline levels.
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Cooper et al. (1987) studied Pregnancy (n=14). Treadmill exercise vs. Resting levels and postpartum was evaluated on Maternal plasma noradrenaline levels at peak exercise (p=<0.005). Treadmill exercise during pregnancy significantly increased maternal plasma noradrenaline levels by up to 64% (p<0.005) and fetal heart rate (p<0.05) compared to rest.
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