Leisure time physical activity during pregnancy and impact on gestational diabetes mellitus, pre-eclampsia, preterm delivery and birth weight: a review.
BACKGROUND
It has been questioned whether leisure time physical activity (LTPA) during pregnancy is beneficial or deleterious to pregnancy outcome, and whether a sedentary lifestyle during pregnancy has a negative impact on pregnancy. Answers to these questions are of general interest, since some young women are very physically active during leisure time, while others have a sedentary lifestyle.


METHODS
In this review, we analysed the association between LTPA and the selected pregnancy outcomes, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), pre-eclampsia, preterm delivery, and birth weight.


RESULTS
The prevailing literature clearly indicates that LTPA before and/or during pregnancy has a protective effect on the development of GDM and pre-eclampsia. Furthermore, LTPA does not seem to have a negative impact on the rate of preterm delivery or on birth weight.


CONCLUSIONS
Thus, it seems relevant that health authorities recommend 30 min of daily physical activity to healthy pregnant women.
Hegaard
Hanne K
HK
The Juliane Marie Centre, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Pedersen
Bente K
BK
Nielsen
Birgitte Bruun
BB
Damm
Peter
P
D001724:Birth Weight; D016640:Diabetes, Gestational / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D009043:Motor Activity; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000209:etiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000209:etiology*; D018570:Risk Assessment