Pregnant, Sedentary Lifestyle
Conditions
Keywords
vascular structure, vascular function, cerebrovascular reactivity, physical activity, sedentary behaviour, offspring health, maternal health
Brief summary
The aim of this study is to determine the effect of aerobic exercise on maternal and offspring vascular health.
Detailed description
The study will comprise of a randomised pilot trial to assess the effect of a moderate intensity exercise intervention on maternal and offspring vascular health. Participants will be recruited in the first trimester (T1, 10-12 weeks' gestation), and will be randomized to either a 24-week, structured and partially supervised, gym-based exercise intervention beginning in trimester 2 (T2) through to trimester 3 (T3), or a non-exercise control group who receive normal clinical care. The inclusion of this non-exercise control group is critical in allowing us to create an understanding of the adaptation of the vascular system during a normal (non-exercising) pregnancy, and also determining the physical activity and sedentary behaviour engaged in during normal healthy pregnancy. All participants will be asked to attend the laboratory at Liverpool John Moores University on 4 separate occasions synchronised with the end point of each trimester and then within four weeks of delivery. Maternal vascular health, physical activity, sedentary behaviour and fitness will be assessed during each time point throughout pregnancy while the fourth visit will comprise of an offspring vascular assessment. The investigators will also gain information on delivery outcomes including pre-term delivery, complications during labour, induction of labour, caesarean sections and post-partum haemorrhage via medical notes at the Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust.
Interventions
OTHERExercise
Previously inactive pregnant women will be asked to complete 3-4 sessions of aerobic exercise each week for 24 weeks of 15-30 minutes in duration.
Sponsors
Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust
Liverpool John Moores University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
OTHER
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)
Masking description
Collected data at each time point will be blinded to the outcome assessor.
Intervention model description
This study comprises of two groups; an exercise and a control group.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
18 Years to 45 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Healthy pregnant female * No history of cardiovascular disease, gestational diabetes or pre-eclampsia * Single gestation * Not on medication affecting cardiovascular health * A non-smoker for at least 6 months * Participating in structured exercise \<twice/week * BMI \<30kg/m\^2 -
Exclusion criteria
* Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) contraindications for pregnancy * Pregnant by in-vitro fertilisation (IVF)exercise * BMI \>30kg/m\^2 * \>45 years old * Structured exercise \>twice/week * Multiple gestation * Disability preventing ambulation * Currently smoking or smoking within past 6 months prior to pregnancy * Non-English speaking women
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in Vascular Function | Change from baseline at week 24 and 36 of pregnancy | Vascular function will be measured via endothelial-dependent flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial and femoral arteries and reported as percentage change. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in Sedentary behaviour | Change from baseline at week 24 and 36 of pregnancy | Sedentary behaviour will be measured using an inclinometer at the end of each trimester for a period of 7 days in line with the accelerometer monitoring and will be reported in minutes. |
| Change in Physical activity | Change from baseline at week 24 and 36 of pregnancy | Physical activity will be monitored for a period of 7 days using accelerometry at the end of each trimester. |
| Incidence of Pregnancy specific outcomes | Following delivery and within 4 weeks | Following delivery the investigator will obtain information regarding pregnancy specific outcomes including pre-term birth, delivery complications, induction of labour, caesarean section and post-partum haemorrhage via medical notes at the collaborating hospital. |
Other
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in Cerebrovascular Function | Change from baseline at week 24 and 36 of pregnancy | Change in cerebrovascular function will be assessed using transcranial Doppler ultrasound to measure brain blood flow velocity. |
| Change in Vascular Structure | Change from baseline at week 24 and 36 of pregnancy | Vascular structure will be measured at carotid, femoral and brachial arteries using ultrasound imaging to clearly visualise the artery. The image will be adjusted so that artery wall thickness can be clearly seen and a 30 second recording taken at three different angles. The average of the three angles will be calculated for each artery. Results will be reported as change in millimetres at each time point for each artery assessed. |
| Offspring Vascular Structure | Assessed within 4 weeks of delivery | Offspring vascular structure will be assessed at the abdominal aorta site using ultrasound imaging. Wall thickness will be measured at three different angles of an optimised ultrasound image. The image will be adjusted so that artery wall thickness can be clearly seen and a 30 second recording taken at three different angles. The average of the three angles will be calculated for each artery. Results will be reported as change in millimetres at each time point for each artery assessed. |
Countries
United Kingdom
Outcome results
None listed