Effect of Aerobic Exercise of Walking on Weight and BMI During Pregnancy

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the effect of an 8-week regular walking on weight and BMI of primiparous women. This Field Trial was conducted on 80 healthy primiparous pregnant women aged between 20 and 35 yrs., housekeeper, non-athletic, with single pregnancy, BMI>19, from 28 weeks of pregnancy. The intervention group was assigned a regular 8-week exercise program, three times per week, each time 30 min with self-selected intensity in that mothers can talk while walking. The control group was only followed up. The results showed that the mean weight gain of women in the intervention group was less than that of the control group after the exercise period. This study is registered in the Iranian clinical trial system (Ref: IRCT201410011935INI). After the intervention, there was no significant difference between the intervention group and the control group in terms of the mean BMI. The result of Chi-square test showed that there was no significant relationship between the two groups in terms of weight gain. The rate of natural vaginal delivery was significantly more in the intervention group (<em>P</em>>0.05). There were no significant differences in weight, height, and head circumference of infants after birth between the two groups. Therefore, it is recommended that women perform correct and regular walking after 28 weeks of pregnancy with self-selected intensity to control weight.