Is recreational running associated with earlier delivery and lower birth weight in women who continue to run during pregnancy? An international retrospective cohort study of running habits of 1293 female runners during pregnancy

Abstract

BackgroundIncreasingly, women of reproductive age participate in recreational running, but its impact on pregnancy outcome is unknown. We investigated whether running affects gestational age at delivery and birth weight as indicators of cervical integrity and placental function, respectively.Methods1293 female participants were recruited from parkrun, which organises weekly runs involving 1.25 million runners across 450 parks worldwide. Those under 16 or unable to provide outcome data were excluded. Women were categorised according to whether they continued to run during pregnancy or not. Those who continued were further stratified dependent on average weekly kilometres, and which trimester they ran until. Retrospectively collected primary outcomes were gestational age at delivery and birthweight centile. Other outcomes included assisted vaginal delivery rate and prematurity at clinically important gestations.ResultsThere was no significant difference in gestational age at delivery: 279.0 vs 279.6 days (mean difference 0.6 days, CI −1.3 to 2.4 days; P=0.55) or birthweight centile: 46.9%vs 44.9% (mean difference 2.0%, CI −1.3% to −5.3%; P=0.22) in women who stopped running and those who continued, respectively. Assisted vaginal delivery rate was increased in women who ran: 195/714 (27%) vs 128/579 (22%) (OR 1.32; CI 1.02 to 1.71; P=0.03).ConclusionContinuing to run during pregnancy does not appear to affect gestational age or birthweight centile, regardless of mean weekly distance or stage of pregnancy. Assisted vaginal delivery rates were higher in women who ran, possibly due to increased pelvic floor muscle tone. Randomised prospective analysis is necessary to further explore these findings.

The effects of vigorous intensity exercise in the third trimester of pregnancy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Bell, et al [35] identified that frequency of vigorous intensity exercise may relate to birth weight, with findings indicating a decrease in birth weight with increasing number of exercise sessions (3 sessions = 3682 g birth weight, and 5/6/7 sessions = 3049 g birth weight). On the other hand, the study by Kuhrt, et al [43] showed that neither average weekly kilometers (i.e., volume), or trimester that women ran to, influenced birth weight percentiles. The retrospective survey by Zeanah and Schlosser [44] also showed no effect of higher volume (> 80 min/week) or higher intensity (> 150 bpm) exercise during third trimester, on birth weight.…”

Multidisciplinary, biopsychosocial factors contributing to return to running and running related stress urinary incontinence in postpartum women

“…Yet females are often concerned about causing harm to their baby, which can stop engagement with running 30 . However, running and/or aerobic exercise during pregnancy is not associated with an increased risk of preterm birth or reduction in gestational age at delivery 31,32 . It is therefore essential that clear messages are provided to pregnant females regarding the benefits of exercise and guidelines are updated to reflect empirical evidence 33 .…”

Sport und Sexualität in der Schwangerschaft

“…Aber kann diese Form des Sports auch unbedenklich in der Schwangerschaft fortgesetzt werden? Eine britische Studiengruppe wertete hierzu Schwangerschafts-und Geburtsverläufe von insgesamt 1293 Schwangeren aus, welche vor ihrer Schwangerschaft regelmäßig im Laufsport aktiv waren [5]. 579 (44 %) der Schwangeren hörten mit dem Laufsport bei Feststellung der Schwangerschaft auf.…”

“…In der Anstrengungsphase wurden bei allen Schwangeren unregelmäßige Uteruskontraktionen aufgezeichnet, die jedoch in der Meditations-und Ruhephase nicht mehr auftraten [6]. Im Vergleich zu nicht depressiven Schwangeren weisen depressive Schwangere zudem ein erhöhtes Risiko für das Auftreten einer postpartalen Depression, verminderten Sexualerlebens sowie postpartalen Stress auf [5]. 20 % aller Schwangeren entwickeln eine postpartale Depression.…”