Exercise during pregnancy.New research continues to show multiple benefits of exercise during pregnancy for both the mother and fetus fetus, term used to describe the unborn offspring in the uterus of vertebrate animals after the embryonic stage (see embryo). In humans, the fetal stage begins seven to eight weeks after fertilization of the egg, when the embryo assumes the basic shape of the newborn . Although the type of exercise, intensity, duration and frequency are important considerations, benefits for the mom include improved cardiovascular function, less weight gain, improved attitude and mood, easier and less complicated labor, quicker recovery, and improved fitness. It's not just the mom who benefits, but the baby as well, by improved stress tolerance and advanced neurobehavioral maturity. The child is leaner at five years old and has better early neurodevelopment. Unless you have a problem that calls for restricting activity, you should maintain your prepregnancy, exercise levels. For runners contemplating pregnancy, this is good news that is backed up by more research. There have been no studies in human beings that have shown problems in the developing embryo embryo (ĕm`brēō), name for the developing young of an animal or plant. In its widest definition, the embryo is the young from the moment of fertilization until it has become structurally complete and able to survive as a separate organism. caused by moderate exercise. Doctors worried for a long time that increases in body temperature during exercise might have adverse consequences for the fetus, but this has never been shown. Exercise isn't simply tolerated by pregnant women, it may prevent some potentially serious complications. Some women experience high blood pressure during pregnancy that can cause a life-threntening complication called preeclampsia preeclampsia /pre·eclamp·sia/ (pre?e-klamp´se-ah) a toxemia of late pregnancy, characterized by hypertension, proteinuria, and edema. pre·e·clamp·si·a n. . In a study at the University of Michigan (body, education) University of Michigan - A large cosmopolitan university in the Midwest USA. Over 50000 students are enrolled at the University of Michigan's three campuses. The students come from 50 states and over 100 foreign countries. , women at risk for pregnancy related high blood pressure were divided into two groups and followed for ten weeks. One group visited the laboratory three times a week, from 18 to 28 weeks gestation GESTATION, med. jur. The time during which a female, who has conceived, carries the embryo or foetus in her uterus. By the common consent of mankind, the term of gestation is considered to be ten lunar months, or forty weeks, equal to nine calendar months and a week. to perform 30 minutes of moderately intense exercise. Although the results are not dramatic, the exercise group enjoyed a trend of lower blood pressure while blood pressure in the control group increased slightly. The authors concluded that the differences were due to the effect of exercise rather than any other variables. During pregnancy, the body changes dramatically in ways that have a huge impact on the musculoskeletal system Noun 1. musculoskeletal system - the system of muscles and tendons and ligaments and bones and joints and associated tissues that move the body and maintain its form . Some researchers have worried that these changes might predispose pre·dis·pose v. To make susceptible, as to a disease. pregnant women to injury related to exercise. But, in another report, doctors concluded that exercise that produces strength and conditioning gains during pregnancy might actually prevent the usual aches and pains associated with carrying extra weight and the changes in gait during pregnancy. Although you should always discuss your exercise plans with your doctor, the evidence just keeps rolling in that exercise is more than just okay for pregnant women--it is good for both you and your baby. (Clinical Orthopedics, 2000, Vol. 372, pp. 169-179; Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, 2000, Vol. 82, pp. 625-632; Journal of Reproductive Medicine, 2000, Vol. 45, pp. 293-298, Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports, 2000, Vol. 10, pp. 12-19; Clinical Sports Medicine sports medicine, branch of medicine concerned with physical fitness and with the treatment and prevention of injuries and other disorders related to sports. Knee, leg, back, and shoulder injuries; stiffness and pain in joints; tendinitis; "tennis elbow"; and , 2000, Vol. 19, pp. 273-286) |
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