{"title":"Preconception Physical Activity and Maternal Health Outcomes: An Integrative Review of Studies from 2016-2025.","authors":"Kadeeja S Murrell, Rodney P Joseph","doi":"10.1007/s10995-025-04086-7","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Preconception physical activity may lower the risk of adverse maternal health outcomes. This integrative review examined the relationship between preconception physical activity and maternal health outcomes.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Six electronic databases (i.e., Cochrane Library, PubMed, Science Direct, PsycInfo, SAGE Journals, and Sports Discus) were searched for relevant articles. Articles were eligible for inclusion if they were (1) published between January 1, 2016, and January 9, 2025, in an English-language peer-reviewed journal; (2) included a measure of preconception physical activity; and (3) reported maternal health outcomes during or after birth.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Search procedures retrieved a total of 3608 articles. After a thorough screening process, seven articles met the inclusion criteria of this review. Five articles reported data from prospective cohort studies, and two articles employed cross-sectional designs. Outcomes examined included gestational hypertension (n = 3), gestational diabetes/glucose metabolism (n = 4), preeclampsia (n = 2), infant birth weight (n = 2), pregnancy weight gain (n = 1), duration of pregnancy (n = 1), and mode of delivery (n = 1). Higher preconception physical activity engagement was linked to reduced risks of gestational hypertension (n = 1), gestational diabetes/glucose metabolism (n = 2), preeclampsia (n = 2), low birth weight (n = 1), excessive pregnancy weight gain (n = 1), and post-term delivery (n = 1). Three studies found greater risk reduction with increased moderate-to-vigorous physical activity.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>Engaging in regular moderate-to-vigorous physical activity during preconception is associated with a reduced risk of numerous adverse maternal health outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":48367,"journal":{"name":"Maternal and Child Health Journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8000,"publicationDate":"2025-03-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Maternal and Child Health Journal","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-025-04086-7","RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"PUBLIC, ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Introduction: Preconception physical activity may lower the risk of adverse maternal health outcomes. This integrative review examined the relationship between preconception physical activity and maternal health outcomes.
Methods: Six electronic databases (i.e., Cochrane Library, PubMed, Science Direct, PsycInfo, SAGE Journals, and Sports Discus) were searched for relevant articles. Articles were eligible for inclusion if they were (1) published between January 1, 2016, and January 9, 2025, in an English-language peer-reviewed journal; (2) included a measure of preconception physical activity; and (3) reported maternal health outcomes during or after birth.
Results: Search procedures retrieved a total of 3608 articles. After a thorough screening process, seven articles met the inclusion criteria of this review. Five articles reported data from prospective cohort studies, and two articles employed cross-sectional designs. Outcomes examined included gestational hypertension (n = 3), gestational diabetes/glucose metabolism (n = 4), preeclampsia (n = 2), infant birth weight (n = 2), pregnancy weight gain (n = 1), duration of pregnancy (n = 1), and mode of delivery (n = 1). Higher preconception physical activity engagement was linked to reduced risks of gestational hypertension (n = 1), gestational diabetes/glucose metabolism (n = 2), preeclampsia (n = 2), low birth weight (n = 1), excessive pregnancy weight gain (n = 1), and post-term delivery (n = 1). Three studies found greater risk reduction with increased moderate-to-vigorous physical activity.
Discussion: Engaging in regular moderate-to-vigorous physical activity during preconception is associated with a reduced risk of numerous adverse maternal health outcomes.
期刊介绍:
Maternal and Child Health Journal is the first exclusive forum to advance the scientific and professional knowledge base of the maternal and child health (MCH) field. This bimonthly provides peer-reviewed papers addressing the following areas of MCH practice, policy, and research: MCH epidemiology, demography, and health status assessment
Innovative MCH service initiatives
Implementation of MCH programs
MCH policy analysis and advocacy
MCH professional development.
Exploring the full spectrum of the MCH field, Maternal and Child Health Journal is an important tool for practitioners as well as academics in public health, obstetrics, gynecology, prenatal medicine, pediatrics, and neonatology.
Sponsors include the Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs (AMCHP), the Association of Teachers of Maternal and Child Health (ATMCH), and CityMatCH.