Abstract P427: Effects Of Sedentary Activity In Pregnancy

Abstract

Introduction: Preeclampsia is a multi-organ syndrome of late pregnancy characterized by gestational hypertension and proteinuria. There is strong evidence that maternal vascular dysfunction may be involved in the pathogenesis of this disorder. Regular physical activity during pregnancy has the potential to reduce this risk. Although physical activity during pregnancy is recommended, patient adherence is low. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the extent to which physical activity was associated with cardiovascular function throughout pregnancy in order to serve as an important intervention to prevent adverse pregnancy outcomes. Methods: Pregnant patients in their first trimester were recruited from obstetric outpatient clinics at the University of Iowa. Once consented, research participants completed a study visit during each trimester of pregnancy. Participants were administered the Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire, a 36-item survey that asked about the amount of physical activity performed within the past 12 weeks. Participants’ vitals, BMI, and measures of vascular endothelial function and aortic stiffness were obtained at each visit. Results: Physical activity was measured in MET hours per week in each trimester of pregnancy. Pregnant women engaged in less physical activity by the end of their pregnancy, with an average of 193.6 MET hrs/week during the first trimester compared to 166.9 MET hrs/week during the third trimester. Sedentary time was found to be positively correlated with BMI during the second (β = .114, 95% CI [.020, .209], p-value = .018) and third trimesters of pregnancy (β = .212, 95% CI [.083, .340], p-value = .001). In addition, sedentary time positively correlated with aortic stiffness during the third trimester (ρ = .192, p-value = .014). Conclusion: Excess gestational weight gain is associated with short- and long-term pregnancy complications, including the development of preeclampsia. We found that women were less active later in pregnancy, and that increased sedentary time was associated with higher BMI in the second and third trimesters. Therefore, it is imperative that physical activity be highly encouraged throughout pregnancy to help prevent adverse health outcomes.