Effect on Postnatal Health and Beyond

Abstract

Current evidence suggests regular maternal physical activity while pregnant does not negatively influence in utero or postnatal growth and development. Weight and length/height, however, are fairly crude measures of overall health and well-being. Similar to an adult exercise trained response, infants of women who exercised have improved cardiac ANS relative to same age counterparts not exposed to maternal exercise. Furthermore, adults who were exposed to exercise in utero had no signs of cardiovascular disease. Offspring exposed to maternal exercise show evidence of improved nervous system development as suggested by academic and sports performance even into adulthood. This is also seen on aspects of intelligence tests, such as language scores. Children of women who exercised during pregnancy showed evidence of better temperament. Further, children exposed to exercise in utero had decreased adiposity at birth and into adulthood. These postnatal findings have enormous implications on conditions such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension, obesity, diabetes. Considering the potentially positive impact on public health, more research should be done in this area.