The influence of maternal exercise types on one-month infant body composition and blood lipids

Abstract

In the US, obesity rates are rising exponentially, which can lead to chronic health conditions. Related to obesity are increased blood lipids (i.e., triglycerides (TG), LDL, HDL, total cholesterol (TC) and body fat % (BF%), which are associated with comorbidities and metabolic disorders. Exercise is beneficial in lowering blood lipids as well as BF% in many populations, including pregnant women. Importantly, exercise types (i.e. aerobic, resistance) influence blood lipids and BF% differentially. However, it is not known how exercise types during pregnancy influence the blood lipids and BF% of the child in utero. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of maternal exercise types on one-month infant BF% and blood lipids. We hypothesized that any exercise type would decrease infant BF% and blood lipids. To test this question, pregnant women were randomized to aerobic (AE), resistance (RE), combination (CE), or no exercise (CON). Participants completed 150 min/wk of exercise until delivery. At 1-month, infant blood (10mL) was collected, centrifuged, and separated into plasma and cell components. Samples were stored at -80° C until ready for analysis. Triceps, bicep, and subscapular skinfolds were taken to the nearest 0.1 mm using calipers. Infant morphometric measures included: weight, head/abdominal, and mid-upper arm circumferences, body, leg, and humeral lengths. ANOVAs were completed to compare group differences with all data and per protocol (>80% attendance); data was stratified by maternal pre-pregnancy BMI, and linear regression was completed to assess predictors of infant BF% and blood lipids. We found all exercise types safe for infants; specifically, maternal AE lowered infant TG and non-HDL cholesterol. After per protocol with BMI stratification, there were no differences between exercise types. Linear regression revealed CE predicts decreases in infant TC; gestational weight gain (GWG) was a predictor of one-month infant BF%. Overall, any maternal exercise is safe, while AE and CE might be more beneficial for infant blood lipid levels.