Poster Presentation Women's Health Forum 2021

The acute effects of a weekly submaximal aerobic exercise test on arterial stiffness and blood pressure from embryo implantation to birth: A longitudinal case study (#56)

Courtney Giles 1 , Rich Johnston 1 , Kassia Beetham 1 , Jemima Spathis 1 , Michael Baker 1
  1. Australian Catholic University, Brisbane, QLD, Australia

Introduction:

Vigorous intensity exercise has been suggested as safe and effective into the third trimester of pregnancy, however research in the first and second trimesters is lacking. Due to the extensive cardiovascular changes that occur during pregnancy, it is important to understand the effects of vigorous intensity exercise on the cardiovascular system. The aim of this study is to compare the acute effects of vigorous intensity aerobic exercise on arterial stiffness and blood pressure longitudinally throughout each week of pregnancy.

 

Methods:

A healthy pregnant woman was recruited at 4 weeks of gestation along with a healthy aged matched non-pregnant control, to complete weekly submaximal (ceasing exercise at 85% maximum heart rate) graded aerobic treadmill testing for approximately 30 weeks. Resting measures were taken after 5 minutes of supine rest. Outcome measures were taken 1-5 minutes post exercise and again 10-15 minutes post exercise. The primary outcome measures included: arterial stiffness measured by pulse wave velocity (PWV) and pulse wave analysis (PWA), central blood pressure (BP), and mean arterial pressure (MAP). The results from this preliminary analysis include the first 15 weeks of data.

 

Results:

Preliminary results calculated as an average over the 15 weeks found that resting, 5 minute and 10-15 minute post exercise PWV is lower in the control subject (5.91m/s2 ± 0.4; 5.98m/s2 ± 0.38; 5.74m/s2 ± 0.3) than the pregnant participant (6.93m/s2 ± 0.32; 7.30m/s2 ± 0.49; 7.09m/s2 ± 0.43). Central BP and MAP showed a greater increase in the pregnant participant immediately following exercise (ΔSBP 24.75mm/Hg ± 4.32; ΔMAP 17.67mm/Hg ± 6.19), compared to the control (ΔSBP 5.9mm/Hg ± 8.02; ΔMAP 4.4mm/Hg ± 4.81).

 

Conclusions:

These preliminary results indicate a greater increase in PWV, BP and MAP response to vigorous intensity exercise during early pregnancy.