Impact of maternal physical activity on fetal breathing and body movement--A review

Dafna Sussman; Stephen J Lye; Greg D Wells

doi:10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2016.01.006

Impact of maternal physical activity on fetal breathing and body movement--A review

Early Hum Dev. 2016 Mar:94:53-6. doi: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2016.01.006. Epub 2016 Jan 23.

Authors

Dafna Sussman¹, Stephen J Lye², Greg D Wells³

Affiliations

¹ Physiology and Experimental Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada. Electronic address: [email protected].
² Fraser Mustard Institute for Human Development, OISE, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1V6, Canada; Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON M5G 1X5, Canada. Electronic address: [email protected].
³ Physiology and Experimental Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada; Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 2C9, Canada. Electronic address: [email protected].

PMID: 26811196
DOI: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2016.01.006

Abstract

Fetal movements, which include body and breathing movement, are important indicators of fetal well-being and nervous system development. These have been shown to be affected by intrauterine conditions. While maternal physical activity does induce a change in intrauterine conditions and physiology, its impact on fetal movements is still unclear. This paper will provide a brief review of the literature and outline the current knowledge with regards to the effects of maternal exercise on fetal body and breathing movements.

Keywords: Autonomic nervous system; Exercise; Fetal activity; Fetal body movement; Fetal breathing.

Publication types

Meta-Analysis
Review

MeSH terms

Exercise*
Female
Fetal Movement*
Fetus / physiology*
Humans
Pregnancy
Respiration*