Assessment of physical fitness during pregnancy: validity and reliability of fitness tests, and relationship with maternal and neonatal health - a systematic review.

Objectives: To systematically review studies evaluating one or more components of physical fitness (PF) in pregnant women, to answer two research questions: (1) What tests have been employed to assess PF in pregnant women? and (2) What is the validity and reliability of these tests and their relationship with maternal and neonatal health?

Design: A systematic review.

Data Sources: PubMed and Web of Science.

Eligibility Criteria: Original English or Spanish full-text articles in a group of healthy pregnant women which at least one component of PF was assessed (field based or laboratory tests).

The Influence of Exercise, Lifestyle Behavior Components, and Physical Fitness on Maternal Weight Gain, Postpartum Weight Retention, and Excessive Gestational Weight Gain.

This study examines (a) the influence of exercise, lifestyle behavior components (sedentary time, physical activity, and sleep and dietary patterns), and physical fitness on maternal weight gain, postpartum weight retention, and excessive gestational weight gain and (b) whether exercise protects against the adverse effects of impaired metabolism and nonoptimal body composition related to excessive gestational weight gain. Subjects were assigned to either a supervised concurrent (aerobic + resistance) exercise program followed 3 days/week (n = 47) or a control group (n = 54). Sedentary time, physical activity, sleep and dietary patterns (assessed by accelerometry and questionnaires), muscle strength (handgrip test), and cardiorespiratory fitness (Bruce test) were determined at gestational Weeks 16 and 33 (early-middle and late pregnancy, respectively), and at 6 weeks postpartum.

Association of Self-Reported Physical Fitness during Late Pregnancy with Birth Outcomes and Oxytocin Administration during Labour-The GESTAFIT Project.

We explored (a) the associations between self-reported maternal physical fitness and birth outcomes; (b) whether self-reported maternal physical fitness (PF) is related to the administration of oxytocin to induce or stimulate labour. Pregnant women from the GESTAFIT project randomized controlled trial (n = 117) participated in this prospective longitudinal study. Maternal physical fitness was assessed through the at the 34th gestational week.

Associations of physical activity, sedentary time, and physical fitness with mental health during pregnancy: The GESTAFIT project.

Purpose: This study was aimed to analyze the associations of objectively measured physical activity (PA), sedentary time, and physical fitness with mental health in the early second trimester (16 ± 2 gestational weeks) of pregnancy.

Methods: From 229 women initially contacted, 124 pregnant women participated in the present cross-sectional study. Data were collected between November 2015 and March 2017.

Objectively measured sedentary time and physical activity levels in Spanish pregnant women. Factors affecting the compliance with physical activity guidelines.

The aims of this cross-sectional study were to describe objectively measured sedentary time (ST) and physical activity (PA) levels in Spanish pregnant women, to analyze the degree of compliance with PA guidelines during the early second trimester of pregnancy and to explore sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with meeting these PA guidelines. One hundred and thirty-four Caucasian pregnant women were recruited between October 2015 and October 2017 to participate in this study. Triaxial accelerometers were used to analyze ST andPA levels for seven consecutive valid days.

Correction: Association of objectively measured physical fitness during pregnancy with maternal and neonatal outcomes. The GESTAFIT Project.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Association of objectively measured physical fitness during pregnancy with maternal and neonatal outcomes. The GESTAFIT Project.

Aim: To analyse i) the association of physical fitness during early second trimester and late pregnancy with maternal and neonatal outcomes; and ii) to investigate whether physical fitness is associated with the type of birth (vaginal or caesarean section).

Methods: Pregnant women from the GESTAFIT Project (n = 159) participated in this longitudinal study. Maternal physical fitness including upper- and lower-body strength, cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and flexibility were measured through objective physical fitness tests at the 16th and 34th gestational weeks.

Influence of a Concurrent Exercise Training Intervention during Pregnancy on Maternal and Arterial and Venous Cord Serum Cytokines: The GESTAFIT Project.

The aim of the present study was to analyze the influence of a supervised concurrent exercise-training program, from the 17th gestational week until delivery, on cytokines in maternal (at 17th and 35th gestational week, and at delivery) and arterial and venous cord serum. Fifty-eight Caucasian pregnant women (age: 33.5 ± 4.

International Fitness Scale-IFIS: Validity and association with health-related quality of life in pregnant women.

This study aimed (a) to examine the construct validity of the International Fitness Scale (IFIS) to discriminate between different objectively measured physical fitness levels in pregnant women and (b) to assess the extent to which IFIS is able to discriminate between pregnant women with different levels of health-related quality of life (HRQoL). A total of 159 pregnant women were involved in the GESTAtion and FITness project: 106 pregnant women (mean age 32.7, SD 4.

Association of self-reported physical fitness with pain during pregnancy: The GESTAFIT Project.

Aims: To explore the association of self-reported physical fitness with bodily, lumbar and sciatic pain, and pain disability during pregnancy.

Methods: The present study sample comprised 159 pregnant women (32.9 ± 4.

Association of sedentary time and physical activity during pregnancy with maternal and neonatal birth outcomes. The GESTAFIT Project.

Aim: (a) To analyse the association of objectively measured sedentary time (ST) and physical activity (PA) during early second trimester of pregnancy with maternal and neonatal birth outcomes; (b) to explore if ST and PA differ between women with vaginal or caesarean section deliveries.

Methods: Ninety-four Caucasian pregnant women (32.9 ± 4.

Influence of a Concurrent Exercise Training Program During Pregnancy on Colostrum and Mature Human Milk Inflammatory Markers: Findings From the GESTAFIT Project.

Background: Although exercise reduces systemic inflammation, information regarding its influence on human milk is scarce or inexistent. Research Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of an exercise intervention during pregnancy on colostrum and mature human milk inflammatory markers.

Methods: The authors conducted a pseudorandomized controlled trial.

Effects of supervised aerobic and strength training in overweight and grade I obese pregnant women on maternal and foetal health markers: the GESTAFIT randomized controlled trial.

Background: During pregnancy, a sedentary lifestyle may have negative consequences on maternal and foetal health status. The main objective of this project is to assess the effects of an exercise intervention in overweight and grade I obese pregnant on maternal and foetal health markers.

Methods/design: The present study aims to recruit 60 overweight and grade I obese women interested in participating in an exercise intervention program from the 17th gestational week until delivery.