A recent study published by the American Physiological Society suggests that exercising regularly before and during pregnancy can play a role in decreasing the risk of developing prenatal preeclampsia, a condition that raises blood pressure to dangerously high levels. The research suggests that a regular fitness routine may stimulate the expression of two proteins thought to play a role in blood vessel health in expecting moms.
In the study, female rats were separated into an exercise group and a control group, and then later impregnated.
"The exercise group ran voluntarily on an activity wheel for six weeks prior to and during pregnancy, with running times and distances monitored weekly. The control group did not exercise. The researchers found that the rats in the exercise group had higher levels of a circulating protein called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) than those in the control group. VEGF and a pregnancy specific version of the protein called placental growth factor (PlGF) are important because they stimulate the development of new blood vessels, and maintain normal vessel function--which in turn promotes good cardiovascular health."
The findings of the study are significant for expectant moms, even before they are expecting! If you plan to get pregnant, and you don't currently workout, make it a priority to start a moderate workout routine to build endurance and habit. Once you become pregnant, you may need to modify some act in later months of pregnancy--but you will have developed a solid foundation for the health of you and your baby throughout pregnancy.
In the study, female rats were separated into an exercise group and a control group, and then later impregnated.
"The exercise group ran voluntarily on an activity wheel for six weeks prior to and during pregnancy, with running times and distances monitored weekly. The control group did not exercise. The researchers found that the rats in the exercise group had higher levels of a circulating protein called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) than those in the control group. VEGF and a pregnancy specific version of the protein called placental growth factor (PlGF) are important because they stimulate the development of new blood vessels, and maintain normal vessel function--which in turn promotes good cardiovascular health."
The findings of the study are significant for expectant moms, even before they are expecting! If you plan to get pregnant, and you don't currently workout, make it a priority to start a moderate workout routine to build endurance and habit. Once you become pregnant, you may need to modify some act in later months of pregnancy--but you will have developed a solid foundation for the health of you and your baby throughout pregnancy.
