Research

Preg­nancy and Exercise…each one is a com­plex phenomenon.

Taken together, they may con­sti­tute the most com­pli­cated inter­ac­tion in human phys­i­ol­ogy! The impact of exer­cise before con­cep­tion, dur­ing preg­nancy and in the post­par­tum period is pos­i­tive for both mom and baby in the short term and long term.

As we learn which geno­types are more sus­cep­ti­ble to dis­or­ders such as preeclamp­sia or ges­ta­tional dia­betes, we are also learn­ing how exer­cise reduces risk for actu­ally devel­op­ing such disorders.

A new area of research is the ques­tion of how preg­nancy exer­cise con­tributes to the pre­ven­tion of child­hood obe­sity. For more infor­ma­tion, check this post:

http://dancingthrupregnancy.com/pregnancy-pathway/2010/04/more-on-preventing-childhood-obesity/

and visit the DTP Blog posts on this subject.

This Research sec­tion con­tains: Research Updates on Pre/postnatal Fit­ness and a Map of Preg­nancy and Exercise.

Research Updates — click on the page list at right.

These research updates include infor­ma­tion on immune func­tion in preg­nany; mater­nal and fetal adap­ta­tions to exer­cise; and the impact of exer­cise on preg­nancy, birth and moth­er­hood. They are included as part of the addi­tional read­ing for the Basic Teacher Train­ing Course, and are referred to in the workbook.

Here’s the map:   Pg Exer­cise Map

Researchers and other read­ers are invited to help us in this endeavor by bring­ing recent find­ings to our atten­tion. Those wish­ing to sug­gest arti­cles for inclu­sion in the Research Updates should send infor­ma­tion to director@dancingthrupregnancy.com.

Those wish­ing to con­tribute to the Meta­bolic Maps should con­tact maps@dancingthrupregnancy.com.