Physical Activity and Vascular Health During Pregnancy
- Conditions
- PregnantSedentary Lifestyle
- Interventions
- Other: Exercise
- Registration Number
- NCT03079258
- Lead Sponsor
- Liverpool John Moores University
- Brief Summary
The aim of this study is to determine the effect of aerobic exercise on maternal and offspring vascular health.
- Detailed Description
The study will comprise of a randomised pilot trial to assess the effect of a moderate intensity exercise intervention on maternal and offspring vascular health. Participants will be recruited in the first trimester (T1, 10-12 weeks' gestation), and will be randomized to either a 24-week, structured and partially supervised, gym-based exercise intervention beginning in trimester 2 (T2) through to trimester 3 (T3), or a non-exercise control group who receive normal clinical care. The inclusion of this non-exercise control group is critical in allowing us to create an understanding of the adaptation of the vascular system during a normal (non-exercising) pregnancy, and also determining the physical activity and sedentary behaviour engaged in during normal healthy pregnancy. All participants will be asked to attend the laboratory at Liverpool John Moores University on 4 separate occasions synchronised with the end point of each trimester and then within four weeks of delivery. Maternal vascular health, physical activity, sedentary behaviour and fitness will be assessed during each time point throughout pregnancy while the fourth visit will comprise of an offspring vascular assessment. The investigators will also gain information on delivery outcomes including pre-term delivery, complications during labour, induction of labour, caesarean sections and post-partum haemorrhage via medical notes at the Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust.
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- UNKNOWN
- Sex
- Female
- Target Recruitment
- 20
- Healthy pregnant female
- No history of cardiovascular disease, gestational diabetes or pre-eclampsia
- Single gestation
- Not on medication affecting cardiovascular health
- A non-smoker for at least 6 months
- Participating in structured exercise <twice/week
- BMI <30kg/m^2 -
- Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) contraindications for pregnancy
- Pregnant by in-vitro fertilisation (IVF)exercise
- BMI >30kg/m^2
- >45 years old
- Structured exercise >twice/week
- Multiple gestation
- Disability preventing ambulation
- Currently smoking or smoking within past 6 months prior to pregnancy
- Non-English speaking women
Study & Design
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Study Design
- PARALLEL
- Arm && Interventions
Group Intervention Description Exercise Exercise Participants randomized to the exercise intervention group will be required to complete a 24-wk partially supervised exercise programme consisting of 3-4 sessions per week of 15 minutes progressing to 30 minutes over time.
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Change in Vascular Function Change from baseline at week 24 and 36 of pregnancy Vascular function will be measured via endothelial-dependent flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial and femoral arteries and reported as percentage change.
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Change in Physical activity Change from baseline at week 24 and 36 of pregnancy Physical activity will be monitored for a period of 7 days using accelerometry at the end of each trimester.
Change in Sedentary behaviour Change from baseline at week 24 and 36 of pregnancy Sedentary behaviour will be measured using an inclinometer at the end of each trimester for a period of 7 days in line with the accelerometer monitoring and will be reported in minutes.
Incidence of Pregnancy specific outcomes Following delivery and within 4 weeks Following delivery the investigator will obtain information regarding pregnancy specific outcomes including pre-term birth, delivery complications, induction of labour, caesarean section and post-partum haemorrhage via medical notes at the collaborating hospital.
Trial Locations
- Locations (1)
Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences (RISES)
🇬🇧Liverpool, Merseyside, United Kingdom