Physical Activity and Vascular Health During Pregnancy

Liverpool John Moores University

Status: Unknown

Conditions: Sedentary Lifestyle; Pregnant

Treatments: Other: Exercise

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT03079258

17/NW/0056

Details and patient eligibility

About

The aim of this study is to determine the effect of aerobic exercise on maternal and offspring vascular health.

Full description

The study will comprise of a randomised pilot trial to assess the effect of a moderate intensity exercise intervention on maternal and offspring vascular health. Participants will be recruited in the first trimester (T1, 10-12 weeks' gestation), and will be randomized to either a 24-week, structured and partially supervised, gym-based exercise intervention beginning in trimester 2 (T2) through to trimester 3 (T3), or a non-exercise control group who receive normal clinical care. The inclusion of this non-exercise control group is critical in allowing us to create an understanding of the adaptation of the vascular system during a normal (non-exercising) pregnancy, and also determining the physical activity and sedentary behaviour engaged in during normal healthy pregnancy. All participants will be asked to attend the laboratory at Liverpool John Moores University on 4 separate occasions synchronised with the end point of each trimester and then within four weeks of delivery. Maternal vascular health, physical activity, sedentary behaviour and fitness will be assessed during each time point throughout pregnancy while the fourth visit will comprise of an offspring vascular assessment. The investigators will also gain information on delivery outcomes including pre-term delivery, complications during labour, induction of labour, caesarean sections and post-partum haemorrhage via medical notes at the Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust.

Enrollment: 20 estimated patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 18 to 45 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Healthy pregnant female
• No history of cardiovascular disease, gestational diabetes or pre-eclampsia
• Single gestation
• Not on medication affecting cardiovascular health
• A non-smoker for at least 6 months
• Participating in structured exercise <twice/week
• BMI <30kg/m^2 -

Exclusion criteria

• Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) contraindications for pregnancy
• Pregnant by in-vitro fertilisation (IVF)exercise
• BMI >30kg/m^2
• >45 years old
• Structured exercise >twice/week
• Multiple gestation
• Disability preventing ambulation
• Currently smoking or smoking within past 6 months prior to pregnancy
• Non-English speaking women

Trial design

Primary purpose: Other

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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20 participants in 2 patient groups

Exercise

Experimental group

Description:

Participants randomized to the exercise intervention group will be required to complete a 24-wk partially supervised exercise programme consisting of 3-4 sessions per week of 15 minutes progressing to 30 minutes over time.

Treatment:

Other: Exercise

Control

No Intervention group

Description:

Those randomized to the control group will continue with their standard care.