Effects of Exercise During Pregnancy on Maternal Heart Rate and Heart Rate Variability

• DOI: 10.1016/j.pmrj.2015.11.006
• Publication Date: 2015-11-18T17:06:30Z
• Authors: Linda E. May; Jennifer Knowlton; Jessica Hanson; Richard Suminski; Christopher Paynter; Xiangming Fang; Kathleen M. Gusta...
• Keywords: 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Heart Rate; Pregnancy; Case-Control Studies; Humans; Female; Gestational Age; Autonomic Nervous System; Exercise; 3. Good health

Pregnancy is associated with an increased sympathetic state, which can be exacerbated by gestational conditions. Research has shown that exercise during pregnancy lowers heart rate (HR) and attenuate the symptoms of conditions control. However, changes in maternal autonomic function response to have not been reported across multiple time points pregnancy. This analysis designed address this gap.To determine if throughout gestation improves cardiac nervous system functioning, as evidenced decreased HR variability (HRV) indices.Case control study.Academic medical institution.A total 56 women healthy, singleton, low-risk pregnancies.Participants were asked complete 3 resting 18-minute HRV recordings at 28, 32, 36 weeks' gestation, along a physical activity questionnaire.HRV indices calculated for (R peak R interval standard deviation root mean squared successive differences) frequency (very low, high frequency) domain measures. The differences between groups compared weeks.Resting was significantly lower group 28 weeks (P < .01) group. had .05) measures Resting power all 32 relative No occurred sympathovagal balance (low frequency/high ratio) groups.Exercise improve More research needed adaptation may reduce risk adverse outcomes poor control, such diabetes, hypertension, pre-eclampsia, excessive weight gain.