Brislane, Aine ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3214-6544, Jones, Helen, Low, David, A., Holder, Sophie, M. and Hopkins, Nicola, D. (2018) Regular moderate intensity aerobic exercise does not affect vascular outcomes during pregnancy: A pilot study. In: European Congress of Sport Science, 4th - 7th July, 2018, Dublin. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality during pregnancy, with vascular impairments potentially playing a key role in the pathology. Exercise training can improve vascular outcomes in healthy and clinical populations, however the effect of regular exercise on vascular function and structure in pregnant women is not known. The aim of this study pilot study was therefore, to determine the impact of a 6 month exercise intervention on vascular function and structure in previously inactive pregnant women. It is hypothesised that engaging in an exercise intervention during pregnancy will enhance vascular function and structure.
Methods: Ten healthy pregnant women were recruited to a control (CONT; N=6 330.5 years, BMI 22.4kg/m2) or exercise group (EX; N=4 31.5 0.6 years, BMI 23.82.1kg/m2) at 13-15 weeks gestation. Participants were assessed at the end of trimester 1(T1), 2(T2) and 3(T3). Vascular ultrasound was used to assess flow mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial (BFMD) and femoral (FFMD) arteries. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) was calculated using applanation tonometry. Aerobic capacity was estimated using the Astrand submaximal cycling protocol. Physical activity (PA) was measured over 7 days using accelerometry. The exercise intervention consisted of 3x15 minute weekly exercise sessions in trimester 2 (T2), progressing to 4x30 minutes in trimester 3 (T3). Data were analyzed for main effects of group and time using repeated measures ANOVA.
Results: There were no time, group or interaction effects for BFMD (T1: 9.22.1%, T2:6.70.9%, T3: 95%, P=0.76), FFMD (T1, 6.53.4%, T2, 6.22%, T3, 2.41.9%, P=0.18) or PWV (T1, 5.30.43m/s, T2, 4.30.7m/s, T3, 5.21.7m/s; p=0.59). No differences in aerobic capacity were evident (T1, 47.4±5ml/kg, T2, 43.4±3.3ml/kg, T3, 39.1±3.5ml/kg, p=0.22). No differences were observed for physical activity (T1, 330±87mins/d; T2, 296±52mins/d; T3, 271±16mins/d.
Conclusion: Our findings suggest that engaging in a moderate intensity aerobic exercise intervention during trimesters 2 and 3 of pregnancy does not affect vascular outcomes during pregnancy. It is plausible that the hormonally induced hemodynamic adaptations which occur during pregnancy cannot be overridden by moderate intensity exercise, however further research is needed to confirm this hypothesis.

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Other)
Status:	Unpublished
Subjects:	Q Science > Q Science (General) Q Science > QP Physiology R Medicine > RJ Pediatrics
School/Department:	School of Science, Technology and Health
URI:	https://ray.yorksj.ac.uk/id/eprint/3745

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