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Cited by 56Physical Activity and HealthPreterm Birth and ChorioamnionitisMaternal and Neonatal Healthcare

Physical Activity and Preterm Birth: A Literature Review

Domingues, Marlos Rodrigues, Matijasevich, Alicia, Barros, Aluísio J.D.·2009·Sports Medicine
DOI 10.2165/11317900-000000000-00000
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Abstract

Preterm birth is a major reason for infant mortality and morbidity, representing a public health concern worldwide. Regular and voluntary physical activity is healthy behaviour that should be incorporated by everyone, including pregnant women. On the other hand, some women are exposed to highly demanding occupational physical activities during pregnancy that might represent a threat to the fetus and to their own health. This paper is a literature review of studies (1987-2007) on physical activity during pregnancy and its relationship to preterm birth. Although the effects measured by the studies are not strong and the evidence is impaired by many methodological flaws, it seems that recreational or leisure-time physical activities performed regularly provide protection against prematurity. Studies on occupational physical activities, especially standing for long periods, present contrasting results - some presenting standing as a risk factor, but most showing no association. Housework and other daily activities do not seem to be associated with preterm birth. Regardless of the methodological aspects of the studies reviewed, there is a chance that the real effect of occupational physical activity is being blurred by some underlying factors not easily measured in epidemiological investigations. Our conclusions do not reject the idea that working conditions might represent danger for the pregnancy outcome, but only raise the question that maybe the mechanisms through which employment-related physical activities have been considered up till now could be better and more thoroughly studied. Future studies should pay additional attention to psychological and socioeconomic characteristics, without neglecting biological plausibility.

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Crossref · 10.2165/11317900-000000000-00000

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102 of 102 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • Regular leisure physical activity appears to protect against prematurity, low birthweight, gestational diabetes and preeclampsia.

    “Regular leisure physical activity appears to protect against prematurity, low birthweight, gestational diabetes and preeclampsia [20–24].”

    From Lack of evidence for prescription of antepartum bed rest (2011) · cites this paper as [20]

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Authors
Domingues, M. R., Matijasevich, A., & Barros, A. J. D.
Affiliations
Universidade Federal de Pelotas (BR)
Corresponding author
Domingues, Marlos Rodrigues
ORCID
Venue
Sports Medicine
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2009-11
Volume
39
Issue
11
Pages
961-975
ISSN
0112-1642 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.2165/11317900-000000000-00000
OpenAlex
W2084777460
Cited by
56
References
102
Citations by year
2025: 2 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 6 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 7
FWCI
0.51
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Sports Medicine (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Physical Activity and Health
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Preterm Birth and Chorioamnionitis
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Maternal and Neonatal Healthcare
Keywords
preterm birth, exercise during pregnancy, occupational physical activity, leisure-time physical activity, standing at work, housework, pregnancy outcomes, working conditions, maternal health
MeSH terms
Fatigue, Female, Humans, Job Satisfaction, Leisure Activities, Mental Health, Motor Activity, Pregnancy, Risk Factors, Occupational Health, Occupational Exposure, Muscle Fatigue, Premature Birth

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