Interval Versus Continuous Exercise During Pregnancy

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Fetal Heart Rate or Rhythm Abnormality Affecting Fetus; Pregnancy Related; Fetal Blood Flow; Glucose, Low Blood
• Interventions: Other: High intensity Interval Training; Other: Moderate Intensity Continuous Training

• Registration Number: NCT05369247
• Lead Sponsor: University of Alberta

Brief Summary

The objective of this randomized cross-over design was to investigate the fetal well-being and maternal glycemic response to an acute bout of aerobic high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) with pregnant individuals.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2020-12-01
• Study First Submitted: 2022-03-28
• Study First Submitted QC: 2022-05-05
• Study First Posted: 2022-05-11
• Status Verified: 2022-10
• Primary Completion: 2022-12-30
• Study Completion: 2022-12-30
• Last Update Submitted: 2023-01-18
• Last Update Posted: 2023-01-20

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: Female
• Target Recruitment: 32

Inclusion Criteria

• Carrying a singleton pregnancy (i.e. greater than or equal to 20 weeks of gestation).
• Has access to a stationary bike
• Located within Canada and/or within Edmonton Alberta

Exclusion Criteria

• History of smoking within the last year
• Taking medications that may interfere with cardiovascular function.
• High-order pregnancies, e.g. twins or above.
• Females with absolute contraindications (as outlined by the Canadian Guidelines for Physical Activity throughout Pregnancy and the PARMed-X questionnaire)

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: CROSSOVER

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
1st Exercise session	Moderate Intensity Continuous Training	Participants completed either the HIIT or MICT session.
1st Exercise session	High intensity Interval Training	Participants completed either the HIIT or MICT session.
2nd Exercise session	Moderate Intensity Continuous Training	Participants completed the subsequent exercise protocol (i.e. HIIT or MICT)
2nd Exercise session	High intensity Interval Training	Participants completed the subsequent exercise protocol (i.e. HIIT or MICT)

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Flash Glucose Monitor; interstitial Glucose	7-days	Measured by a Flash Glucose monitor inserted onto the back of the left tricep
Fetal Heart Rate	3-minutes	Measured via ultrasound pre and post exercise
Fetal Umbilical Blood Flow	3-minutes	Measured Via ultrasound pre and post exercise

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Maternal Heart Rate	40-minutes	Measured via heart rate monitor; Measured prior to, during, and after exercise.
Accelerometer	7-days	The investigators will objectively measure physical activity using an accelerometer for one week. Average number of minutes per day spent in various activity levels will be determined.
Cardiovascular fitness	20-minutes	Graded exercise test to volitional fatigue.
Cerebral blood flow of middle cerebral artery	40-minutes	Measured using a trans cranial doppler ultrasound. Measured prior to, during, and after exercise.
Respiratory measures - lung volume	40-minutes	Total Lung Capacity (Liters). Measured using spirometry.
fetal outcomes- gestational age	within one month postpartum	Participants will provide the investigators with gestational age at delivery (weeks)
Perceived rating of perceived exertion	40-minutes	Borg Scale; Ratings from 6 - 20; Rating of six is minimal perceived exertion and rating of 20 is maximal perceived exertion.
Cerebral Blood Flow of Posterior cerebral artery	40-min	Measured using a trans cranial doppler ultrasound. Measured prior to, during, and after exercise.
Sleep Quality	7-days	The investigators will objectively measure sleep quality using an accelerometer for one week. Average number of hours of sleep per night, time spent awake after sleep onset, and number of awakenings will be determined
Food Log	7-days	The investigators will objectively measure nutrients in diet using a seven day food record. This is completed through Food Prodigy/ Food Processor software.
Blood pressure	40-min	Measured with a finometer; Measured prior to, during, and after exercise.
Respiratory measures - tidal volume	40-minutes	Tidal Volume (Liters per breath). Measured using spirometry.
Fetal Outcome - birth weight	within one month postpartum	Participants will provide the investigators with birth weight for the infant (grams)
maternal outcomes- gestational weight gain	within one month postpartum	Participants will provide the investigators with the last maternal weight immediately before delivery. This will be used to calculate gestational weight gain (kg; last maternal weight - self reported pre-pregnancy weight).
Rating of Perceived Enjoyment (1-10 Scale)	40-minutes	Rating of 1 is the lowest level of perceived enjoyment, rating of 10 is maximal perceived enjoyment
Cardiac Output	40-min	Measured with a finometer; Measured prior to, during, and after exercise.
fasted blood sample- sex hormones	5-minutes	Fasted blood samples (\~30ml) will be analyzed for sex hormones (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone).
Respiratory measures - carbon dioxide	40-minutes	Carbon Dioxide production (% carbon dioxide per breath). Measured using a gas analyzer.
Physical Activity Questionnaire	5-minutes	The participants will report physical activity using the pregnancy physical activity questionnaire (gives metabolic equivalent hours per week (MET-hr/week).
Depression rating	5-minutes	Participants will answer a 10-question questionnaire regarding their mood. A score of 10 or higher is indicative of depressive symptoms. The investigators will report the over number of women in each group who have a score of 10+ at the start and end of the intervention.
Respiratory measures - respiratory frequency	40-minutes	Breathing frequency (breaths per minute). Measured using spirometry.
maternal outcomes- mode of delivery	within one month postpartum	Participants will provide the investigators with mode of delivery (vaginal or cesarean).
fetal outcomes- NICU	within one month postpartum	Participants will provide the investigators with information regarding length (days) of admission to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) if applicable
Respiratory measures - oxygen	40-minutes	Oxygen metabolism (% oxygen used per breath). Measured using a gas analyzer.
fetal outcomes- length	within one month postpartum	Participants will provide the investigators with birth length for the infant (cm)
maternal outcomes- pregnancy complications	any time during study	Participants will provide the investigators with information regarding any pregnancy complications (gestational diabetes, pregnancy induced hypertension, preeclampsia).
maternal outcomes- delivery complications	within one month postpartum	Participants will provide the investigators with information regarding any delivery complications.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Alberta; 🇨🇦 Edmonton, Alberta, Canada