title: Leisure time physical activity during pregnancy and impact on gestational diabetes mellitus, pre-eclampsia, preterm delivery and birth weight: a review.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: The Juliane Marie Centre, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Hanne K
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Hegaard
authors.forename: Bente K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Pedersen
authors.forename: Birgitte Bruun
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: Nielsen
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Damm
mesh_terms: 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