ResearchObstetricsExercise during pregnancy improves maternal health perception: a randomized controlled trial
Section snippets
Materials and Methods
The present study was a randomized, controlled training trial. We contacted a total of 360 Spanish (white) women in a low-to-medium socioeconomic class (the contact was made by the obstetrician during the first prenatal visit). From the initial number of pregnant women, finally 67 women were studied (Figure). The research protocol was reviewed and approved by our Ethics Committee and followed the ethical guidelines of the Declaration of Helsinki, which was last modified in 2008. The research
Results
Our results are presented in Table 1 (maternal characteristics), Table 2 (maternal perception of state of health and frequency of pregnant women to lose urine), and Table 3 (pregnancy outcomes).
According to our analysis and regarding adherence to training and its possible adverse effects, we report that 6 women from the EG discontinued the intervention because of diagnosed risk for premature labor (n = 1), pregnancy-induced hypertension (n = 1), and personal reasons (n = 4). Seven participants
Comment
The aim of the present work was to study the possible effects of aerobic exercise during pregnancy on the perception of maternal health status, weight gain during pregnancy, and urinary incontinence. Our results showed an increased perception of health status in the EG (P = .03). This is in accordance with authors who reported physical activity as a factor to improve the perception of maternal health or health-promoting lifestyles.33 A number of authors reported that the physical exercise acts
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Authorship and contribution to the article is limited to the 5 authors indicated. There was no outside funding or technical assistance with the production of this article.
Cite this article as: Barakat R, Pelaez M, Montejo R, et al. Exercise during pregnancy improves maternal health perception: a randomized controlled trial. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2011;204:402.e1-7.