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Exercise During Pregnancy Does Not Decrease Gestational Weight Gain but Decreases Maternal Body Fat Gain- A Randomized Controlled Trial
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  • Dingfeng Zhang,
  • Breanna WISSEMAN,
  • Alex CLAIBORNE,
  • Dylan STEEN,
  • Kara KERN,
  • Brittany ROENKER,
  • Cody STROM,
  • Samantha M. MCDONALD,
  • James DEVENTE,
  • Steven Mouro,
  • Edward NEWTON,
  • George A. KELLEY,
  • Ruben Barakat,
  • Linda May
Dingfeng Zhang
Universidad Politecnica de Madrid Facultad de Ciencias de la Actividad Fisica y del Deporte
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Breanna WISSEMAN
East Carolina University Department of Kinesiology
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Alex CLAIBORNE
East Carolina University Department of Kinesiology
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Dylan STEEN
East Carolina University Department of Kinesiology
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Kara KERN
East Carolina University Department of Kinesiology
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Brittany ROENKER
East Carolina University Department of Kinesiology
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Cody STROM
University of Southern Indiana
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Samantha M. MCDONALD
Illinois State University School of Kinesiology and Recreation
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James DEVENTE
East Carolina University Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Steven Mouro
East Carolina University Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Edward NEWTON
East Carolina University Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
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George A. KELLEY
Boise State University State School of Allied Health Sciences
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Ruben Barakat
Universidad Politecnica de Madrid Facultad de Ciencias de la Actividad Fisica y del Deporte
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Linda May
East Carolina University Department of Kinesiology

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess supervised exercise training on gestational weight gain (GWG) and body fat gain (BFG) in late pregnancy. Design: A randomized controlled trial. Setting: East Carolina University. Sample: 3 exercise types (aerobic n = 66, combination n = 48, or resistance n = 51) and control group (n = 54). Methods: Exercise was conducted 3 times/wk from 16 weeks gestation until delivery. Main outcome measures: GWG, BFG, and skinfolds measurements at 16 and 36 gestational weeks. Analyses were performed using both intention-to-treat (ITT) and per-protocol (>75% adherence). Results: Per-protocol results show differences between groups for 16- to 36-week change in maternal skinfold sum (0.02), body fat % (0.01) and fat free mass % (0.02). Per-protocol results stratified for pre-pregnancy BMI showed differences in healthy weight participants for changes in maternal skinfold sum (0.01), body fat % (0.004) and fat free mass % (0.01), and in overweight participants, from 16 to 36 weeks gestation, we noted changes in skinfold sum (0.03), body fat (0.02) and fat free mass (0.03). No differences were found for GWG between exercise groups for both ITT and per-protocol analysis similarly, there were no differences between healthy weight and overweight participants for per-protocol analysis. Type of exercise (0.01) was a significant predictor of change in fat free mass percentage (0.04) and BFG percentage (R 2 0.03) from 16 to 36 weeks gestation. Conclusions: Exercise during pregnancy effectively reduces maternal body fat gain.
Submitted to BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Submission Checks Completed
Assigned to Editor
Reviewer(s) Assigned
23 Jun 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending