article
Influence of regular aerobic exercise on endothelium-dependent vasodilation and cardiorespiratory fitness in pregnant women.
Autor
Ramírez ? Vélez , Robinson
Aguilar de Plata, Ana Cecilia
Mosquera Escudero, Mildrey
Echeverry, Isabella
Ortega , José Guillermo
Salazar, Blanca
Rey, Juan José
Hormiga, Claudia
Institución
Resumen
Objective: to evaluate the effect of regular aerobic exercise on endothelial function and cardiorespiratory fitness in pregnant women. Method: This was a randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial of 64 healthy primiparous women between 16 and 20 weeks' gestation. The experimental group participated in aerobic exercise at an intensity of 50-65% of their maximum heart rate for 60 minutes, three times a week for 16 weeks. The control group carried out their usual physical activity. The results were endothelial function assessed by flow-mediated dilation and cardiorespiratory fitness assessed by indirect maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) in a 6-minute walk test. Results: Initially, no differences were found between the groups in any of the variables. At the end of the intervention, the participants who exercised showed greater cardiorespiratory fitness, measured by the distance walked in the 6-minute walk test (P = 0.014) and by VO 2 max. (P = 0.014). Furthermore, the exercise group showed a lower resting heart rate and higher flow-mediated dilation than the control group (P = 0.02). Conclusions: regular aerobic exercise improves endothelium-dependent vasodilation in pregnancy. This intervention can be an early and effective alternative to strengthen the prevention of disorders associated with endothelial dysfunction.