Laura M Reyes1,2, Sauleha M Farooq1,2, Rachel J Skow1,2, Stephen A Busch1,2, Kyra E Pyke3, Rshmi Khurana2,4,5, Radha S Chari2,5, Michael K Stickland6, Maureen Devolin7, Sandra T Davidge2,5, Frances Sobierajski1, Anna Lugg1, Craig D Steinback1,2, Margie H Davenport1,2. 1. Program for Pregnancy and Postpartum Health, Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, CANADA. 2. Women and Children's Health Research Institute (WCHRI), University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, CANADA. 3. School of Kinesiology and Health studies, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, CANADA. 4. Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, CANADA. 5. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, CANADA. 6. Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, CANADA. 7. Alberta Health Services, Calgary, AB, CANADA.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To determine the role of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary behavior in flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and glucose metabolism during late pregnancy. METHODS: Seventy normotensive, euglycemic pregnant women (31.6 ± 2.9 yr) in their third trimester (28-39 wk) were recruited. After a fasted blood sample; FMD was measured (brachial artery Doppler ultrasonography, normalized for the shear stimulus [area under the curve]). Anterograde and retrograde shear rate were estimated. Physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary behavior were assessed via accelerometry for seven consecutive days (Actigraph wGT3X-BT). We categorized the women as active (>150 min·wk) or inactive (<150 min·wk) according to their accelerometry data. Data were corrected for age and gestational age. RESULTS: On average, women were sedentary 67.1% ± 8.2% of their waking hours. Active pregnant women (>150 min·wk MVPA, n = 32) engaged in 266.7 ± 99.3 min·wk MVPA, whereas inactive pregnant women (<150 min·wk MVPA, n = 38) engaged in 76.1 ± 42.5 min·wk MVPA. The FMD response (normalized to the magnitude of shear stress stimulus) was greater in active compared with inactive pregnant women (6.5 ± 4.4 a.u. vs 3.9 ± 3.5 a.u.; F = 4.619; P = 0.005). The MVPA in active pregnant women was inversely correlated with insulin concentrations (r = -0.556; P = 0.03). In inactive pregnant women, higher amounts of sedentary behavior were associated with lower amounts of retrograde shear rate (r = 0.504; P = 0.02), retrograde blood flow (r = 0.499; P = 0.02), and retrograde velocity (r = 0.508; P = 0.02) during baseline, but not correlated with the FMD response. CONCLUSIONS: Engaging in MVPA during pregnancy is associated with improved FMD and a lower insulin concentration. Sedentary behavior was not associated with FMD responses.
PURPOSE: To determine the role of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary behavior in flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and glucose metabolism during late pregnancy. METHODS: Seventy normotensive, euglycemic pregnant women (31.6 ± 2.9 yr) in their third trimester (28-39 wk) were recruited. After a fasted blood sample; FMD was measured (brachial artery Doppler ultrasonography, normalized for the shear stimulus [area under the curve]). Anterograde and retrograde shear rate were estimated. Physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary behavior were assessed via accelerometry for seven consecutive days (Actigraph wGT3X-BT). We categorized the women as active (>150 min·wk) or inactive (<150 min·wk) according to their accelerometry data. Data were corrected for age and gestational age. RESULTS: On average, women were sedentary 67.1% ± 8.2% of their waking hours. Active pregnant women (>150 min·wk MVPA, n = 32) engaged in 266.7 ± 99.3 min·wk MVPA, whereas inactive pregnant women (<150 min·wk MVPA, n = 38) engaged in 76.1 ± 42.5 min·wk MVPA. The FMD response (normalized to the magnitude of shear stress stimulus) was greater in active compared with inactive pregnant women (6.5 ± 4.4 a.u. vs 3.9 ± 3.5 a.u.; F = 4.619; P = 0.005). The MVPA in active pregnant women was inversely correlated with insulin concentrations (r = -0.556; P = 0.03). In inactive pregnant women, higher amounts of sedentary behavior were associated with lower amounts of retrograde shear rate (r = 0.504; P = 0.02), retrograde blood flow (r = 0.499; P = 0.02), and retrograde velocity (r = 0.508; P = 0.02) during baseline, but not correlated with the FMD response. CONCLUSIONS: Engaging in MVPA during pregnancy is associated with improved FMD and a lower insulin concentration. Sedentary behavior was not associated with FMD responses.