title: Physical activity during pregnancy and offspring characteristics at 8-10 years.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We evaluated relationships between mothers' physical activity (PA) during pregnancy and child blood pressure, aerobic fitness, and birth weight.
  
  
  METHODS
  Anthropometrics, systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressures, and aerobic fitness were measured on 20 mother/child pairs, 8-10 years postpartum. Pregnancy PA (kJ/kg.wk) was calculated from historical recall. Women were classified as meeting, or not meeting ACOG PA recommendations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twelve women met ACOG recommendations, and their children had significantly lower birth weights (3.51±0.45 kg) than the more sedentary women (4.05±0.67 kg). Third trimester maternal PA was inversely related to child SBP (rs=-0.46, P=0.04) but not aerobic fitness. Birth weight was inversely related to SBP (rs=-0.75, P=0.03) if mothers did not meet PA recommendations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results from our preliminary study suggest that maternal PA is associated with an alteration in the relationship between birth weight and SBP.
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA - jimpiv@msu.edu.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Pivarnik
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Mudd
authors.forename: E E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Schlaff
authors.forename: K L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Peyer
mesh_terms: D001724:Birth Weight; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D002648:Child; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000502:physiology*