@misc{10481/87598,
year = {2022},
month = {9},
url = {https://hdl.handle.net/10481/87598},
abstract = {ABSTRACT
We explored the association of physical fitness (PF) during pregnancy with maternal body
composition indices along pregnancy and postpartum period. The study comprised 159
pregnant women (32.9 ± 4.7 years old). Assessments were carried out at the 16th and 34th
gestational weeks (g.w.) and six weeks postpartum. Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), muscular
strength (absolute and relative values) and flexibility were measured. Body composition indices
were obtained by using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at postpartum. The results, after
adjusting for potential covariates at the 16th g.w., indicated that greater CRF was associated
with lower postpartum indices total fat mass, android and gynoid fat mass (all, p < 0.05). Greater
absolute upper-body muscular strength was associated with greater pre-pregnancy body mass
index (BMI), gestational weight gain (GWG); and postpartum indices body weight, BMI, lean
mass, fat free mass, fat mass, gynoid fat mass, T-score and Z-score bone mineral density (BMD)
(all, p < 0.05). Greater upper-body flexibility was associated with lower pre-pregnancy BMI; and
postpartum indices body weight, BMI, lean mass, fat free mass, fat mass, android fat mass and
gynoid fat mass, and with greater GWG (all, p < 0.05). At the 34th g.w., greater CRF was
additionally associated with greater postpartum T-score and Z-score BMD (both, p < 0.05). In
conclusion, this study reveals that greater PF levels, especially during early pregnancy, may
promote a better body composition in the postpartum period. Therefore, clinicians and health
promoters should encourage women to maintain or improve PF levels from early pregnancy.
KEYWORDS
Cardiorespiratory fitness;
strength; flexibility; bone
density; gestation
Highlights
. Given that obesity is on the rise today, it is important to find strategies to cope with it, especially
during pregnancy.
. The results of the present study suggest that greater physical fitness during early pregnancy is
key to promoting better body composition in the postpartum period.
. It should be of clinical interest to encourage pregnant women to maintain or improve their
physical fitness levels.},
title = {Physical fitness and maternal body composition indices during pregnancy and postpartum: the GESTAFIT project},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.1080/17461391.2022.2115405},
author = {Marín-Jiménez, Nuria and de la Flor-Alemany, Marta and Baena-García, Laura and Coll-Risco, Irene and Castro-Piñero, José and Aparicio, Virginia A},
}