title: Influence of regular aerobic exercise on endothelium-dependent vasodilation and cardiorespiratory fitness in pregnant women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effect of regular aerobic exercise on the endothelial function and cardiorespiratory fitness in pregnant women.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a randomized, double-blinded, controlled clinical trial of 64 healthy primigravid women between 16 and 20 weeks' gestation. The experimental group took part in aerobic exercise at an intensity of 50-65% of their maximum heart rate for 60 min, three times a week for 16 weeks. The control group undertook their usual physical activity. The outcomes were the endothelial function evaluated by flow-mediated dilatation and cardiorespiratory fitness evaluated by the maximum indirect oxygen consumption (VO2max) in a 6-min walk test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Initially, no differences were found between the groups in any of the variables. At the end of the intervention, the participants that performed exercise showed a higher cardiorespiratory fitness, measured by the walked distance in the 6-min walk test (P = 0.014) and by the VO2max (P = 0.014). Also, the exercise group showed a lower heart rate at rest and a higher flow-mediated dilatation than the control group (P = 0.02).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Regular aerobic exercise improves endothelium-dependent vasodilation in pregnancy. This intervention may be an early and effective alternative to strengthen the prevention of disorders associated to endothelial dysfunction.
authors: Department of Physiological Science, University of Valle, Cali, Colombia. robin640@hotmail.com
authors: Robinson
authors: R
authors: Ramírez-Vélez
authors: Ana Cecilia
authors: AC
authors: Aguilar de Plata
authors: Mildrey Mosquera
authors: MM
authors: Escudero
authors: Isabella
authors: I
authors: Echeverry
authors: José Guillermo
authors: JG
authors: Ortega
authors: Blanca
authors: B
authors: Salazar
authors: Juan José
authors: JJ
authors: Rey
authors: Claudia
authors: C
authors: Hormiga
authors: Patricio
authors: P
authors: López-Jaramillo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000502:physiology*; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000502:physiology*; D037841:Pregnant People; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000502:physiology*