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Aerobic physical exercise increases endothelium-dependent vasodilation and oxygen consumption in healthy primigravida. Controlled randomized clinical trial. NCT00741312

Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: evaluate the effect of aerobic exercise on endothelium-dependent function (EDF) and oxygen consumption in primigravida. METHODS: double-blind, randomized controlled clinical trial carried out in primigravida between 16 to 20 weeks of gestation. The intervention group had aerobic exercise between 50% to 65% of the maximum heart rate during 45 minutes, three times a week for sixteen weeks. The control group had habitual physical activity. MEASUREMENTS REALIZED: EDF: flow-mediated dilation (FMD), oxygen consumption VO2max: 6 minute walking test, anthropometry: weight and size. RESULTS: no differences were found between the two groups in any variables in the initial measurements. At the end of the intervention, participants who exercised had greater physical capacity, measured by the distance covered in walking test (p = 0.043) and VO2max (p = 0.023). In addition, the exercise group had lower resting heart rate and increased FMD than the control group (p <0.05). Both groups increased the resting heart rate, basal diameter and post-hyperemia diameter of the brachial artery at the end of the intervention (p <0.05). CONCLUSION: regular practice of controlled aerobic exercise improves endothelial function and physical capacity in primigravida. For this reason, interventions like this could be an early and effective alternative to strengthen prevention of pathologies associated with endothelial dysfunction during pregnancy. © 2011 Sociedad Colombiana de Cardiologia.