Researchers from the Kansas City University School of Medicine (USA) presented a new study presented at the annual Experimental Biology meeting this week in Washington; she shows that exercising during pregnancy, for at least 30 minutes three times a week, has beneficial effects on the baby’s heart for up to a month after birth.
This new research follows a 2008 pilot study conducted by the same team, which found that pregnant women who exercised had fetuses with lower heart rates – which is a sign of a heartbeat. healthy – during the last weeks of their development.
In a 2010 study, researchers at the University of Auckland (New Zealand) also reported that regular aerobics practice by a pregnant woman could have beneficial effects on the health of the developing fetus, because it led to a slight reduction in the baby’s birth weight. High birth weight is generally associated with a higher risk of childhood obesity – so the study suggested that expectant mothers who exercised could help their babies start healthy lives.
Before starting a training program while pregnant, you should consult your doctor, especially if you have a few extra pounds and if you are not used to physical exercise. WedMD suggests swimming, brisk walking, exercise bikes, step or elliptical machines, or low-impact aerobics, under the supervision of a teacher.
Jogging can be practiced in moderation, especially for those who were already running before their pregnancy. You should avoid activities that require you to hold your breath, and those where you can fall or make sudden movements. You should also avoid playing sports in hot and humid weather.