Physical exercise during pregnancy and its influence on maternal weight gain

Objetivo: examinar en la literatura científica la influencia del ejercicio físico durante el embarazo en la ganancia de peso materno. Método: se desarrolló una Revisión Sistemática y Meta-análisis. Se examinaron Ensayos Clínicos Aleatorizados. Resultados: se analizaron 46 estudios, se observa de forma general una asociación positiva entre la práctica regular de ejercicio físico moderado y menores ganancias de peso materno, asimismo los estudios muestran una menor cantidad y porcentaje de gestantes que exceden su ganancia de peso durante el embarazo en los grupos de intervención comparados con los de control. Conclusiones: el ejercicio físico regular y moderado reduce el riesgo de una ganancia excesiva de peso materno

Objective: to examine the body of the scientific literature regarding the influence of exercise during pregnancy on maternal weight gain. Method: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis was performed. Randomized Clinical Trials were examined. Results: 46 studies were analyzed, a positive association between regular and moderate exercise and lower maternal weight gain was observed as well as lower percentage in intervention groups of pregnant women that exceeding their recommended weight gain compared with the controls. Conclusions: regular and moderate exercise during pregnancy reduces the risk of excessive maternal weight gain.