title: Exercise during pregnancy. A narrative review asking: what do we know?
abstract: Although there is no consensus as to whether exercise is beneficial during pregnancy, most studies report it poses no risk to either the mother or the fetus, and many suggest it to be beneficial to both. This review, which examines the evidence available, also reveals the many differences in study design followed, the type of exercise undertaken and the variables measured, which make it difficult to compare results. Advances in our understanding of the effects of exercise during pregnancy might best be made by undertaking randomised clinical trials with standardised protocols. However, most of the studies examining the relationship between exercise and pregnancy report no complications on maternal or fetal well-being. This is also in line with recent review studies advising that the pregnant population without obstetric contraindications should be encouraged to exercise during pregnancy. Therefore, the results of the present review stimulate those responsible for the healthcare of the pregnant woman to recommend moderate exercise throughout pregnancy without risk to maternal and fetal health.
authors.affiliation: AFIPE Research Group, Faculty of Physical Activity and Sports Sciences-INEF, Technical University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Ruben
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Barakat
authors.affiliation: AFIPE Research Group, Faculty of Physical Activity and Sports Sciences-INEF, Technical University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: María
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Perales
authors.affiliation: Research Institute of the Hospital 12 de Octubre ("i+12"), Madrid, Spain Faculty of Health and Sport Science, University of Zaragoza, Huesca, Spain.
authors.forename: Nuria
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Garatachea
authors.affiliation: PROFITH "PROmoting FITness and Health through physical activity" research group, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Department of Physical Education and Sports, University of Granada, Granada, Spain.
authors.forename: Jonatan R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Ruiz
authors.affiliation: Research Institute of the Hospital 12 de Octubre ("i+12"), Madrid, Spain European University, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Alejandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lucia
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000502:physiology; D002320:Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D047109:Fetal Development / Q000502:physiology; D005333:Fetus / Q000502:physiology; D005544:Forecasting; D005865:Gestational Age; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007743:Labor, Obstetric / Q000502:physiology; D000068097:Maternal Health; D017773:Pelvic Floor / Q000502:physiology; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000502:physiology*; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012119:Respiration
keywords: Exercise; Pregnancy