ABSTRACT
The epidemic of obesity that began in 1980 continues to proliferate. The sedentary lifestyle and gestational weight gain of many pregnant women has become a major contributor to the obesity epidemics. Most significant, as it relates to exercise guidelines and prescription, is that the biomechanical changes of pregnancy could create balance problems and orthopedic injuries. Assessing fuel utilization during exercise in pregnancy is essential because of the possible metabolic effects of exercise-induced maternal hypoglycemia. On occasions, uterine activity has been demonstrated to occur during and after physical activity in pregnancy; however, it could potentially have clinical significance only in patients who are at risk for premature labor. The daily nutritional requirements should include an additional 300 cal/day, which is required to provide for the increased basal metabolic needs of pregnancy. The main concerns related to exercise in pregnancy are focused on the fetus and any potential maternal benefits that could be offset by fetal injuries.
