(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Exercise during fetal growth may improve the
cardiovascular health of an unborn baby.
Researchers examined the effects of exercise on fetal breathing in 20- to
35-year-old mothers to be. Each exerciser participated in 30 minutes of aerobic
exercise at least three times weekly, and the control group did not have any
regular exercise routine.
In the exercise group, fetal heart rate was significantly lower and fetal
short-term and overall heart rate variability were higher. In addition, fetuses
exposed to exercise showed better vagal control during breathing. Results did
not demonstrate differences in their number of breathing episodes between the
two groups.
Researchers measured maternal and fetal magnetocardiograms and fetal movements
using a noninvasive, dedicated fetal biomagnetometer, which recorded the
physiology of the developing fetus.
SOURCE: Presented at the Experimental Biology meeting in New Orleans, April
18-22, 2009
