International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity (Dec 2017)

A randomized controlled trial of exercise during pregnancy on maternal and neonatal outcomes: results from the PAMELA study

  • Shana Ginar da Silva,
  • Pedro Curi Hallal,
  • Marlos Rodrigues Domingues,
  • Andréa Dâmaso Bertoldi,
  • Mariângela Freitas da Silveira,
  • Diego Bassani,
  • Inácio Crochemore Mohnsam da Silva,
  • Bruna Gonçalves Cordeiro da Silva,
  • Carolina de Vargas Nunes Coll,
  • Kelly Evenson

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-017-0632-6
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 14, no. 1
pp. 1 – 11

Abstract

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Abstract Background Women are encouraged to be physically active during pregnancy. Despite available evidence supporting antenatal physical activity to bring health benefits for both the mother and child, the most effective way to prevent some maternal and fetal outcomes is still unclear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of an exercise intervention to prevent negative maternal and newborn health outcomes. Methods A randomized controlled trial (RCT) nested into the 2015 Pelotas (Brazil) Birth Cohort Study was carried-out with 639 healthy pregnant women, 213 in the intervention group (IG) and 426 in the control (CG) group. An exercise-based intervention was conducted three times/week for 16 weeks from 16-20 to 32-36 weeks’ gestation. The main outcomes were preterm birth and pre-eclampsia. Gestational age was calculated based on several parameters, including routine ultrassounds and/or last menstrual period and categorized as = 70% of the recommended exercise sessions. A total of 594 participants (IG:198; CG: 396) were included in the ITT and 479 (IG: 83; CG: 396) were included in the per protocol analyses. There were no significant differences in the incidence of preterm birth and pre-eclampsia between groups in the ITT and per protocol analysis. There were also no differences between the two groups in mean gestational weight gain, gestational diabetes, birth weight, infant length, and head circumference. Conclusions While the RCT did not support the benefits of exercise performed during pregnancy on preeclampsia and preterm birth, the exercise program also did not present adverse impacts on newborn health. Our findings may contribute to promote intervention strategies that motivate health providers to encourage pregnant women to be more physically active. Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT02148965 , registered on 22 May 2014.

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