Influence of exercise type on maternal blood pressure adaptation throughout pregnancy.

backgroundIt has been reported that 10% of all pregnancies are complicated by a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy. Previous research has shown that moderate-vigorous intensity exercise has a positive effect on maternal resting blood pressure. A research gap, however, exists related to how different types of exercise (resistance, aerobic, combined resistance and aerobic) affect maternal blood pressure. Most of the previous studies solely focused on aerobic exercise.

objectiveThe aim of this study was to examine the effects of exercise types on maternal blood pressure throughout pregnancy. STUDY

designThis study employed a secondary analysis using data from a randomized controlled prenatal exercise intervention trial

resultsThere were no differences among the groups in maternal age or prepregnancy body mass index. Controlling for maternal body mass index, the lowest significant systolic blood pressure curve was noted throughout the pregnancy for women who participated in resistance exercise, followed by women in the aerobic exercise group all relative to the no exercise control group. At 36 weeks' gestation, the systolic blood pressure was lower in the resistance group by 12.17 mm Hg (

conclusionOverall, all exercise types were beneficial in lowering maternal resting blood pressure throughout pregnancy. Resistance training was noted to be the most beneficial in improving systolic blood pressure, followed by aerobic exercise. All 3 exercise groups were noted to improve diastolic blood pressure equally. Further research needs to be done to determine if either resistance or aerobic exercise throughout pregnancy decreases the risk for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and the associated morbidity and mortality.