Physical exercise during pregnancy - physiological considerations and recommendations
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S. Hartmann
Abstract
Controversial findings in numerous studies involving physiological and endocrinological parameters indicate that physical exercise during pregnancy is complex and somewhat poorly understood. But despite this reservation, it is safe to say that on the basis of the current state of scientific research in this area, physical exercise is to be recommended during pregnancy so long as women are aware of potential dangers and contraindications. Due to thermoregulatory advantages, the beneficials effects of immersion and its joint protective character “aquatic exercise” can be highly recommended during pregnancy. Psychologically speaking, physical exercise offers a variety of benefits such as the encouragement of cooperation and competition which can be experienced as fun and gratifying. The physiological and psychological benefits of physical exercise are not only available to healthy women, but have also proven to be valuable for the prevention and treatment of illnesses such as gestational diabetes. The activation of large groups of muscles allow for an improved glucose utilization by simultaneously increasing insulin sensitivity.
Copyright (c)1999 by Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co. KG
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- Endothelin-1 levels in infants with pulmonary hypertension receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
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Articles in the same Issue
- The study of morphology and circulation of early embryo by three-dimensional ultrasound and power Doppler
- The merit of routine cord blood pH measurement at birth
- The influence of maternal erythrocyte deformability on fetal growth, gestational age and birthweight
- Reproductive choice in individuals HIV-1 infected in South Eastern Italy
- The sensitivity of the trivariate analysis using maternal serum alpha-feto protein, human chorionic gonadotrophin and maternal age in screening for fetal aneuploidy in mothers above the age of 35
- Neonatal and pediatric outcome of infants born to mothers with Antiphospholipid Syndrome
- Changes in cervical resistance and collagen fluorescence during gestation in rats
- The study of maternal and fetal plasma catecholamines levels during pregnancy and delivery
- Is adolescent pregnancy associated with adverse perinatal outcome?
- Physical exercise during pregnancy - physiological considerations and recommendations
- Endothelin-1 levels in infants with pulmonary hypertension receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
- Maternal and neonatal outcome of twin pregnancies complicated by single fetal death
- A fatal case of congenital disseminated langerhans cell histiocytosis
- Treatment of severe postpartum hemorrhage by rectally administered gemeprost pessaries
