Effects on the maternal-fetal health outcomes of various physical activity types in healthy pregnant women. A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Background: Physical activity (PA) promotes health in pregnancy.

Objective: To collate the recent randomized controlled trial (RCT) on the effects of various types of PA during pregnancy on maternal-fetal health outcomes, among healthy mothers, and to report the variability in the outcomes reported.

Search strategy: Registered in PROSPERO (CRD42019143522). Systematic search conducted in EMBASE, CENTRAL, MEDLINE and CINAHL, from 2015-2020.

Selection criteria: RCT examining PA interventions and maternal-fetal outcomes.

Data collection and analysis: Were independently extracted by two reviewers. Quality of studies was assessed with Cochrane Collaboration's risk of bias tool.

Results: 37 studies (6857 women) were included. PA had a protective effect on gestational weight gain (overall SMD -0.32, 95 % CI -0.46, -0.17, I² 77 %; supervised exercise SMD -0.15, 95 % CI -0.28, -0.02, I² 51 %; static cycling SMD -0.32, 95 % CI -0.59, -0.05; I² 49 %), gestational diabetes (overall OR 0.65, 95 % CI: 0.43, 0.98, I² 48 %), and hypertensive disorders (overall OR 0.51, 95 % CI: 0.31, 0.83, I² 0%).

Conclusions: PA in pregnancy had a preventive effect on weight gain, gestational diabetes, and hypertensive disorders. Supervised exercise and static cycling had a protective effect on gestational weight gain. Variation in outcomes reported suggest establishing a core outcome set.

Keywords: Evidence; Fetal outcomes; Healthy pregnant women; Maternal outcomes; Physical activity.