Physical activity during pregnancy and offspring characteristics at 8-10 years

Aim. We evaluated relationships between mothers' physical activity (PA) during pregnancy and child blood pressure, aerobic fitness, and birth weight. Methods. Anthropometrics, systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressures, and aerobic fitness were measured on 20 mother/child pairs, 8-10 years postpartum. Pregnancy PA (kJ/kg.wk) was calculated from historical recall. Women were classified as meeting, or not meeting ACOG PA recommendations. Results. Twelve women met ACOG recommendations, and their children had significantly lower birth weights (3.51 +/- 0.45 kg) than the more sedentary women (4.05 +/- 0.67 kg). Third trimester maternal PA was inversely related to child SBP (r(s)=-0.46, P=0.04) but not aerobic fitness. Birth weight was inversely related to SBP (r(s)=-0.75, P=0.03) if mothers did not meet PA recommendations. Conclusion. Results from our preliminary study suggest that maternal PA is associated with an alteration in the relationship between birth weight and SBP.