Effects of Exercise During Pregnancy on Childhood Heart Measures

• Published in: The FASEB journal Vol. 27; no. S1
• Main Authors: May, Linda E, Drake, William B, Suminski, Richard R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01-04-2013
• ISSN: 0892-6638; 1530-6860
• DOI: 10.1096/fasebj.27.1_supplement.lb676

Abstract only
We have found decreased fetal and infant heart rate and increased heart rate variability as a result of regular maternal exercise suggesting exercise during pregnancy influences cardiac development. It is unknown if these affects persist into childhood. We hypothesized that exercise during pregnancy promotes improved functional heart measurements in children. Mothers (n=25; 30.3 ± 5.5 y of age) of children with normal ultrasounds self‐reported exercise they participated in during their 3
rd
trimester of pregnancy. Ultrasounds were conducted on offspring 1 month to 7 years after birth. Mothers performed between 120 and 5730 min of exercise (
M
= 1449 ± 14 min). Minutes of exercise were not significantly correlated with any cardiac measures. After controlling for child's age, min of exercise was negatively associated with left ventricular end systolic and diastolic dimensions (p<0.05) and left ventricular end systolic volume relative to body surface area (p<0.05) but positively related to left ventricular ejection fraction (p<0.05). The results indicate exercise during pregnancy has a significant effect on offspring heart function into childhood. Potential mechanisms warrant further study.