SynthesisPloS one2025
Effects of physical exercise during pregnancy on delivery outcomes: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Synthesis in PloS one, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
2 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- The effects of different types of prenatal exercise on neonatal outcomes: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.Frontiers in physiology · 2026Pooled it
- How should we talk to pregnant women about physical activity? A scoping review of physical activity during pregnancy communication by healthcare professionals in the UK.Health psychology and behavioral medicine · 2025Review
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundPregnant women should engage in a range of physical activities as it is not only safe but also has many maternal benefits. This systematic review and Meta -analysis aimed to assess the pooled effect of physical exercise during pregnancy on delivery outcomes.
methodWe conducted a systematic literature search on PubMed, Cochrane Library, Science Direct, Embase, Scopus, HINARI, PsycINFO, Google Scholar, and backward and forward citations for studies published since 2010. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in English, assessing the effect of exercise on the mode of delivery as a primary or secondary outcome, were included. Quality assessment was performed using Cochrane guidelines, and the certainty of evidence was evaluated using the GRADE approach. A random-effects model was used for meta-analysis, and results were reported as risk ratio (RR) and weighted mean difference (WMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Heterogeneity was assessed using I² statistics, and potential publication bias was examined. The primary outcome was the mode of delivery, while secondary outcomes included duration of labor, Apgar score, and birth weight.
resultsA total of 16 RCTs involving 3,387 women (1,704 exercise and 1,683 control)were included. Compared to the control group, pregnant women with exercise interventions had a higher rate of normal vaginal delivery (RR = 1.14, 95% CI: 1.08-1.21, I² = 25.6%, moderate certainty of evidence) and a significantly lower rate of cesarean delivery (RR = 0.66, 95% CI: 0.55-0.80, I² = 22.47%, high certainty of evidence). However, no statistically significant association was found between exercise and instrumental delivery (RR = 0.84, 95% CI: 0.70-1.02, moderate certainty of evidence). The mean duration of the first stage of labor was significantly shorter in the exercise group (WMD = -61.30 minutes, 95% CI: -80.63 to -41.97, moderate certainty of evidence). However, no significant differences were observed for second stage of labor birth weight, Apgar scores at one and five minutes (moderate certainty of evidence).
conclusionThis systematic review and meta-analysis consolidate existing evidence, demonstrating that physical exercise is associated with an increased likelihood of normal vaginal delivery, a reduced rate of cesarean delivery, and a shorter first stage of labor. These findings reinforce the importance of encouraging pregnant women without contraindications to engage in appropriate physical activity during pregnancy, contributing to informing clinical practice.
trial registrationThis study was registered on PROSPERO number CRD42022361132.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.