THE IMPACT OF MODERATE AND VIGOROUS PHYSICAL ACTIVITY ON PREGNANCY OUTCOMES

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the impact of moderate to vigorous physical activity on pregnancy outcomes in primigravidae. Methods: This is a cross-sectional observational study, carried out at Maternidade Darcy Vargas in Joinville-SC, from August to December 2020. Patients were divided into 2 groups: sedentary pregnant women and practitioners of light activities, and practitioners of moderate and vigorous physical activity. In calculating the adjusted odds ratio, a 95% confidence interval was used. The adopted confounding factors were: Age, Smoking, Alcoholism and Other Drugs. Results: Regarding maternal characteristics, there was a difference in BMI classification, paid activity, education and smoking. In the characteristics of newborns, the main disparities consisted of prematurity rates and neonatal ICU, with better outcomes found in pregnant women in the second group. In calculating the adjusted odds ratio, the patients of the two study groups were compared. Primigravidae with moderate and vigorous physical activity had greater excessive weight gain during pregnancy. There was no significant impact on the other analyzed outcomes: mode of delivery, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), specific hypertensive disease of pregnancy (DHEG), adequacy to the newborn's weight, prematurity and neonatal ICU. Conclusion: Patients practicing moderate and vigorous physical activity had a 1.4 times greater chance of excessive gestational weight gain.