The Acute Effect of Physical Exercise in Pregnancy

Antwerp University Hospital (UZA)

Status: Completed

Conditions: Pregnancy Related

Treatments: Other: Exercise

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06565182

EDGE002233

Details and patient eligibility

About

The goal of this crossover clinical trial is to investigate the acute physiological effect of exercise on the uterine and fetal blood flow in pregnancy. The main questions it aims to answer are:

• What is the acute physiological effect of exercise on the uterine and fetal blood flow in pregnancy?
• What is the acute physiological effect of continuous aerobic exercise versus resistance exercise on the uterine and fetal blood flow in pregnancy?
• What is the effect of physical activity levels on the uterine and fetal blood flow in pregnancy?

Researchers will compare the continuous aerobic exercise to the resistance exercise with a 3-6-week interval to examine the acute physiological effect on the uterine and fetal blood flow.

Participants will:

• Fill in a physical activity level questionnaire at baseline.
• Complete either continuous aerobic exercise or resistance exercise and take blood flow measurements.
• Complete the remaining type of exercise after a 3-6-week interval and take blood flow measurements.

Enrollment: 18 patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• pregnant, over the age of 18 years, singleton pregnancy, both primigravidas and multigravidas, uncomplicated pregnancy and absence of contra-indications for exercise as per Canadian guidelines (Mottola et al. 2018).

Exclusion criteria

• smoking, substance abuse, chronic diseases, fetal growth restriction, fetal abnormalities, hypertension, history of premature delivery, vaginal hemorrhage, placenta previa, contractions before/during intervention, diabetes mellitus, preeclampsia and previous pregnancy complications.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Basic Science

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Crossover Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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18 participants in 2 patient groups

Continuous aerobic exercise

Experimental group

Description:

The continuous aerobic intervention was performed on a bicycle in a seated position at a moderate exercise intensity. Heart rate and RPE was implemented to ensure moderate intensity level. The participants were allowed to warm up for 5 minutes before starting to cycle at the predetermined HR ranges for 25 minutes. The total duration of exercise was 30 minutes.

Treatment:

Other: Exercise

Resistance exercise

Experimental group

Description:

The acute resistance intervention consisted of four exercises performed using Technogym equipment at a moderate intensity. Every exercise consisted of 3 sets of 20 repetitions, with 1 minute rest in between sets, equaling 30 minutes of exercise in total. The four exercises were performed using the following Technogym devices: vertical traction, chest press, low row, leg press. Prior to the start of each exercise, a short maximal resistance test provided by the Technogym equipment was executed to determine moderate intensity.

Treatment:

Other: Exercise