Influence of maternal aerobic exercise during pregnancy on fetal cardiac function and outflow.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Risk factors for cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death, have been documented in children as young as 3 years of age. Maternal environment (eg, exercise) influences fetal development and long-term health. Thus, the development of the fetal cardiovascular system during pregnancy is likely a preliminary indicator of cardiac health at birth and a proxy for the future risk of cardiovascular disease throughout life.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of supervised prenatal aerobic exercise at recommended levels on fetal cardiac function and outflow in the third trimester of pregnancy. We hypothesized that fetuses of aerobically trained women compared with fetuses of nonexercising women would exhibit increased cardiac function and

SUBMITTER: May LE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12207275 | biostudies-literature | 2020 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature