This article builds on previous research showing exercise is good for pregnant moms. Now, exercise has been shown to be good for the little one, too. The study examined the heart rates of fetuses at various stages of development, and determined that the fetuses of mothers who exercised regularly had improved cardiovascular functioning (as measured by lower heart rates), than did fetuses of mothers who were sedentary. From the article:
* there were significantly lower heart rates among fetuses that had been exposed to maternal exercise. The heart rates among non-exposed fetuses were higher, regardless of the fetal activity or the gestational age.
* at each stage of gestation the differences between the fetal heart rates of the two groups were statistically significant (p<0.05 using a t-test with equal variances).
* the analysis of short- and long-term heart variability at 28, 32 and 36 weeks of gestation in exercise-exposed vs. non-exercise-exposed fetuses were statistically different at 32 wks. This trend is still seen at 36 wks, however it is not significant
The conclusion drawn from the study was exercise is good for both the mom and her child, so moms needn’t worry about “injuring” their baby.
This article builds on previous research showing exercise is good for pregnant moms. Now, exercise has been shown to be good for the little one, too. The study examined the heart rates of fetuses at various stages of development, and determined that the fetuses of mothers who exercised regularly had improved cardiovascular functioning (as measured by lower heart rates), than did fetuses of mothers who were sedentary. From the article:
* there were significantly lower heart rates among fetuses that had been exposed to maternal exercise. The heart rates among non-exposed fetuses were higher, regardless of the fetal activity or the gestational age.
* at each stage of gestation the differences between the fetal heart rates of the two groups were statistically significant (p<0.05 using a t-test with equal variances).
* the analysis of short- and long-term heart variability at 28, 32 and 36 weeks of gestation in exercise-exposed vs. non-exercise-exposed fetuses were statistically different at 32 wks. This trend is still seen at 36 wks, however it is not significant
The conclusion drawn from the study was exercise is good for both the mom and her child, so moms needn’t worry about “injuring” their baby.