Effect of exercise on uterine activity in the patient in preterm labor.
Preterm labor patients are at risk for physiologic complications associated with long-term bed rest. Although conditioning exercise programs are recommended for patients confined to bed rest, no studies have been reported that have evaluated the effects of exercise on uterine activity in women with preterm labor. A pilot study with 10 women was conducted to evaluate the short-term effects of exercise with a protocol involving pretesting and posttesting of uterine activity. The results indicated minimal changes in the frequency of uterine contractions after exercise. Future research is recommended with larger and more diverse samples to evaluate both short- and long-term effects of exercise throughout high-risk pregnancies.
Mayberry
L J
LJ
School of Nursing, California Pacific Medical Center, San Francisco.
Smith
M
M
Gill
P
P
D000328:Adult; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate; D006340:Heart Rate, Fetal; D006801:Humans; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011247:Pregnancy; D014590:Uterine Contraction / Q000502:physiology*