Effect of Physical Exercise Program on Outcomes and Level of Depression

Effect of a Supervised Exercise Program During Whole Pregnancy on Outcomes and Level of Depression. A Randomized Controlled Trial

Due to physical and physiological changes that occur in pregnant women, depression is very common during this period. Recent research findings indicate that antenatal maternal mood state impacts on babies health. Nowadays, many researchers are focussed on examining the effects of physical exercise on foetal and maternal outcomes. The main aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a supervised exercise program consisted of 25-30 minutes of cardiovascular exercise,10 minutes of specific exercises (strength and balance exercises), and 10 minutes of pelvis floor muscles training, on the prevention and treatment of depression in pregnant women. Additionally, the other purpose of the study was to analyze the effects of depression and physical exercise on outcomes. Hypothesis: Pregnant women who do regular exercise during their pregnancies would have a better mood state than pregnant women who are sedentary, without having any negative effect on outcomes.

BACKROUND: Recent studies have estimated the prevalence of depression during pregnancy at between 10% and 30%. This state can produce negative effects on the fetus as: Affect cerebral development Increase the risk of preterm birth and low birth weight Increase the risk of childhood overweight problems Adverse impact on the cognitive, emotional, social, and behavioural development of infants Due to the possible side effect of antidepressants on mother and fetus, its necessary to examine alternative solutions to this state.

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.

The Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression scale (CES-D) was administered to all pregnant women at the beginning and at the end of their pregnancies

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 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

Woodley SJ, Lawrenson P, Boyle R, Cody JD, Morkved S, Kernohan A, Hay-Smith EJC. Pelvic floor muscle training for preventing and treating urinary and faecal incontinence in antenatal and postnatal women. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020 May 6;5(5):CD007471. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD007471.pub4.