This video discusses the safety and benefits of exercising during pregnancy according to a new meta-analysis study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Current guidelines, precautions, and contraindications provide a holistic view of physical activity during pregnancy.
Please note, this video contains only general information and guidelines. It is not to intended to replace physician advice and diagnosis. If you are unsure of whether exercise during pregnancy is safe for you, please consult your doctor before attempting any type of physical activity.
This video was made by Demystifying Medicine students Minahil Jabeen, Prabhjot Khabra, Vanessa Lombardo and Dhruvika Joshi
Copyright McMaster University 2017
References:
1. Barakat, R., Pelaez, M., Cordero, Y., Perales, M., Lopez, C., Coteron, J. and Mottola, M. (2016). Exercise during pregnancy protects against hypertension and macrosomia: randomized clinical trial. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 214(5), pp.649.e1-649.e8.
2. Davies, G. A., Wolfe, L. A., Mottola, M. F., & Mackinnon, C. (2003). Joint SOGC/CSEP Clinical Practice Guideline: Exercise in Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period. Canadian Journal of Applied Physiology,28(3), 329-341. doi:10.1139/h03-024
3. Di Mascio, D., Magro-Malosso, E. R., Saccone, G., Marhefka, G. D., & Berghella, V. (2016). Exercise during pregnancy in normal-weight women and risk of preterm birth: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. American journal of obstetrics and gynecology, 215(5), 561-571.
4. Downs, D.S., Taber-Chasan, L., Evenson, K.R., Leiferman, J., & Yeo, S. (2012). Physical Activity and Pregnancy: Past and Present Evidence and Future Recommendations. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 83 (4): 485-502. Doi: 10.1080/02701367.2012.10599138
5. Evenson K, & Wen F. (2006) National trends in self-reported physical activity and sedentary behaviors among pregnant women: NHANES 1999–2006. Preventive Medicine. 2010b;50:123–128.
6. Evenson, K. R., Barakat, R., Brown, W. J., Dargent-Molina, P., Haruna, M., Mikkelsen, E. M., … & Yeo, S. (2014). Guidelines for physical activity during pregnancy: comparisons from around the world. American journal of lifestyle medicine, 8(2), 102-121.
7. Gaston, A., & Vamos, C. A. (2013). Leisure-time physical activity patterns and correlates among pregnant women in Ontario, Canada. Maternal and child health journal, 17(3), 477-484.
8. Mottola, M. F., & McLaughlin, R. (2011). Exercise and pregnancy: Canadian guidelines for health care professionals. Wellspring, 22(4), A1-4.
9. Obesity Prevention Source. (2017). Examples of Moderate and Vigorous Physical Activity. Available at: https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/obesity-prevention-source/moderate-and-vigorous-physical-activity/
10. Perales, M., Artal, R. and Lucia, A. (2017). Exercise During Pregnancy. JAMA, 317(11), p.1113.
11. Physical Activity Readiness Medical Examination for Pregnancy. (2002). Ottawa: Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology.
12. Wiebe, H. W., Boulé, N. G., Chari, R., & Davenport, M. H. (2015). The effect of supervised prenatal exercise on fetal growth: a meta-analysis. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 125(5), 1185-1194.
