The Physical Exercise and Cardiovascular Adaptation Monitoring in Pregnancy (PE-CAMP) Randomised Controlled Trial Protocol

Abstract

Background Exercise can be beneficial to cardiovascular system function, but its influence during pregnancy is less well understood. Heterogeneity in research studies has led to a lack of consensus on whether physical exercise during pregnancy can elicit cardiovascular adaptations during a period in which the cardiovascular system is already being challenged. Furthermore, little research has been conducted regarding the influence of physical exercise on foetal heart rate (FHR). This paper presents the protocol for a randomised controlled trial which will evaluate the influence of supervised antenatal physical exercise on cardiovascular adaptations during and after pregnancy, as well as the FHR response to acute and chronic maternal exercise. Methods: The PE-CAMP Study (Physical Exercise and Cardiovascular Adaptation Monitoring in Pregnancy) is a randomised controlled trial (RCT) in which pregnant women will be randomised into an intervention group (INT), which attended supervised physical exercise programme up to three days per week, or a comparison group (COMP) which followed standard health care. All participants were assessed at three time-points i) 18-22 weeks pregnant, time-point 1; ii) 33-37 weeks pregnant, time-point 2; and iii) 12-16 weeks postnatal, time-point 3. A standardised experimental protocol was used for data collection, including body composition assessment, upper-body flexibility and strength assessment, physical activity assessment via questionnaires and acceletometry, and haemodynamic and cardiovascular evaluation before, during and after an acute 10-minute exercise bout. Foetal heart rate will be assessed at the time-point 2 before, during and after acute exercise. Discussion: Although it is necessary and informative to continue investigating the effects of exercise on maternal cardiac and haemodynamic responses using specific laboratory-based tests, it is also critical to evaluate these influences during activities that are more achievable and realistic for pregnant women. The PE-CAMP study will provide data on the cardiac and haemodynamic responses to a typical acute bout of exercise, which could help inform future decisions and policies on maternal exercise prescription made by maternity healthcare providers and exercise professionals.