Physical Activity in Pregnancy

Overview

This prospective observational study assesses whether women who regularly exercise during pregnancy show reduced low grade Inflammation, compared to women who are not regularly exercising. Furthermore, the effects of regular physical activity in pregnancy on fetal and neonatal outcomes will be investigated. 3 groups of pregnant women will be formed (group 1: regularly physically active women; group 2: physically inactive women and group 3: women with a history of preeclampsia or positive history of metabolic conditions increasing the risk of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy).

Pregnancy is a natural state of low grade inflammation in the mother and the feto-placental unit. The severity of this inflammation increases with higher pregravid Body Mass Index (BMI). This is reflected by an increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines in the maternal circulation and in the placenta. It has been proposed that the pro-inflammatory maternal and fetal environment plays a role in mediating pregnancy outcomes. In non-pregnant individuals regular physical activity is associated with a reduced inflammatory state. The overall objective of the study is to investigate the interaction of maternal physical activity and pregnancy induced low-grade inflammation in the mother and feto-placental unit, and to assess th resulting effects on prenatal and postnatal development. Specific research objective will be to study effects of maternal physical activity on: 1. low grade Inflammation in the mother an feto-placental unit; 2. maternal and fetal lipid profiles, including High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) proteome; 3. fetal growth and infant body composition; 4. transcriptomic and epigenetic profile in the placenta; 5. biomarkers of nutritive status; 6. psychological assessment: cardiac awareness; assessment of arterial stiffness; stress-coping questionaire

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Eligibility

Outcomes