Effect of Regular Exercise on Maternal Cardiovascular System During Pregnancy

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The main aim of this study was to analysed the security of a supervised exercise program on maternal cardiovascular system and assess the positive effects of this program on maternal cardiovascular function and structure

Detailed Description
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During pregnancy, the effectiveness of cardiovascular system is necessary to the growth and development of the baby, however many changes in it occur during this period. Physical exercise has shown to have a positive effect on cardiovascular structure and function in the general population.

Official Title
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Effect of Supervised Exercise Program on Cardiovascular Function and Structure in Pregnant Women. Randomized Controlled Trial

Conditions
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Pregnancy

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Exercise group


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Being healthy and able to exercise following American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) guidelines Being able to communicate in spanish Giving birth at Hospital Universitario de Fuenlabrada and Hospital Universitario Severo Ochoa (Madrid). Exclusion Criteria: Multiparity Obstetrician complications Being interested in the study after 18 weeks Not being regular in physical exercise program Younger than 18 years old

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 45 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Female

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| No Intervention: Control<br>Sedentary pregnant women | |
| Experimental: Exercise group<br> | Behavioral: Exercise group<br>* Supervised physical conditioning program of three 55-60 minute sessions per week during whole pregnancy (from week 9 to 38). Each session consists of 25-30 minutes of cardiovascular exercise,10 minutes of specific exercises (strength and balance exercises), and 10 minutes of pelvic floor muscles training Aerobic activity was prescribed at light to moderate intensity, aiming for 55-60 of maximal heart rate. All subjects wore a heart rate (HR) monitor (Polar FT7) during the training sessions to ensure that exercise intensity was light to moderate.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change from cardiovascular function at the end of pregnancy: Stroke volume | Data were collected in second and third trimester | Weeks 20 and 34 | 
| Change from cardiovascular structure at the end of the pregnancy | Data were collected in second and third trimester | Weeks 20 and 34 | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Maternal and fetal pregnancy outcomes | Gestational age, type of delivery, duration of labor, maternal weight gain, birth weight, size and head circumference of new born, pH of umbilical cord, Apgar Score. | During pregnancy. At the moment of delivery. | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Pregnancy, cardiovascular system, physical exercise