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Background: Relationships among moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), body satisfaction, and postpartum depressive symptoms are not well understood. The purpose of this study is to examine the (1) impact of postpartum body satisfaction and changes in MVPA on postpartum depressive symptoms and (2) moderating effect of changes in MVPA over time on the relationship between postpartum body satisfaction and depressive symptoms. Methods: Participants (N = 269) self-reported body satisfaction, MVPA (prepregnancy through postpartum), and postpartum depressive symptoms. Differences in MVPA at 3 time points (prepregnancy, third trimester, and postpartum) were calculated to create change scores. Main effects and interactions (body satisfaction × MVPA change) were examined using multiple regression. Results: A majority of the sample did not meet MVPA recommendations at all time points. All body satisfaction measures were inversely related to postpartum depressive symptoms (P =.01 to <.001). MVPA change did not predict postpartum depressive symptoms (P =.43–.90) or moderate the relationship between body satisfaction and postpartum depressive symptoms (P =.14–.94). Conclusions: Given the relationship between postpartum body satisfaction and depressive symptoms, intervention research should include strategies that promote positive postpartum body image; clinicians should consider screening for body dissatisfaction. Although not a predictor or moderator, pregnancy and postpartum MVPA promotion should continue, as it has numerous other benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The study purposes were to examine (1) differences in postpartum exercise (EX) and related personal/psychological correlates in women according to prepregnancy weight and pregnancy gestational weight gain (GWG) status and (2) predictors of EX at 2 weeks, 2 months, and 6 months postpartum. Methods: Participants (N = 891) were recruited at maternity hospitalization and completed interviews to assess EX (Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire) and personal correlates (demographics, anxiety/depressive symptoms) before/during pregnancy. Telephone interviews were conducted to assess postpartum EX/psychological correlates. Women were categorized according to prepregnancy weight (normal and overweight) and pregnancy GWG status (above or within weight gain guidelines): normal-above, normal-within, overweight-above, and overweight-within. Results: Low levels of EX minutes were observed in all women with significant differences for strenuous EX minutes (overweight-within women had the lowest strenuous EX; normal-weight women had more strenuous EX than overweight women regardless of GWG). Correlates explained 14%-37% of the variance in postpartum EX; prepregnancy EX and pregnancy EX were strong determinants of early postpartum EX, and early postpartum EX predicted 6-month postpartum EX. Unique predictors of EX also emerged (eg, depressive symptoms for women with GWG above guidelines). Conclusions: These study findings highlight the benefits of EX before/during pregnancy for promoting postpartum EX and suggest tailoring postpartum EX interventions based on personal/psychological correlates to maximize effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A descriptive study to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice among postnatal mothers regarding postnatal exercise in selected village adopted by rural health centrepooncheri, Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu, India. The objectives are to assess the knowledge, practice and attitude among postnatal mothers regarding postnatal exercise in selected villages adopted by rural health centrepooncheri, Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu, India . To find out the association between level of knowledge, practice and attitude with demographic variables. The purposive sampling technique was used and the samples were 73. The data collection tools were validated and reability was established. The data were collected by self-administered questionnaire. The collected data tabulated and analyzed. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used. The study shows, In knowledge, 12.3% of the mothers had adequate knowledge, 52% of mothers had moderate knowledge and 35.6% of mothers had inadequate knowledge. In practice, 1.3% of mothers had adequate practice, 38.3% of mothers had moderate practice and 60.2% of mothers had inadequate practice, In attitude, 60.2% of mothers had negative attitude, 39.7% of mothers had undecided attitude and none of mothers had positive attitude among postnatal exercise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Few studies measure physical activity objectively or at multiple time points during postpartum. We describe physical activity at 3- and 12-months postpartum among a cohort of women using both self-reported and objective measures. Methods: In total, 181 women completed the 3-month postpartum measures, and 204 women completed the 12-month postpartum measures. Participants wore an ActiGraph accelerometer for 1 week and completed in-home interviews that included questions on physical activity. A cohort of 80 women participated at both time points. Poisson regression models were used to determine whether physical activity differed over time for the cohort. Results: For the cohort, average counts/minute were 364 at 3-months postpartum and 394 at 12-months postpartum. At both time periods for the cohort, vigorous activity averaged 1 to 3 minutes/day, and moderate activity averaged 16 minutes/day. Sedentary time averaged 9.3 hours at 3-months postpartum and 8.8 hours at 12-months postpartum, out of a 19-hour day. Average counts/minute increased and sedentary behavior declined from 3- to 12-months postpartum. Conclusion: Interventions are needed to help women integrate more moderate to vigorous physical activity and to capitalize on the improvements in sedentary behavior that occur during postpartum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

in this article, the authors discuss exercise during the postpartum period and determination of when a pregnant athlete can return to her sport. The article cites the performance of such female athletes as Olympic swimmer Dara Torres and marathoner Paula Radcliffe as examples of how pregnancy needn't end an athletic career. The article focuses on guidelines that athletic trainers should use in determining how such an athlete should exercise after pregnancy and when she should return to play.

The physiological changes that happen during pregnancy and after delivery may affect every mother's quality of life. They may face chronic back pain and incontinence issues due to negligence of postnatal exercises. Though a large volume of scientific evidence suggests that post natal exercises are beneficial for preventing disorders and dysfunctions, we were interested in investigating the present level of knowledge regarding the therapeutic benefits of postnatal exercises among antenatal mothers. A quantitative descriptive cross-sectional prospective hospital-based study was carried out among 62 antenatal mothers by handing out a structured postnatal exercise knowledge assessment questionnaire. The result showed that majority of mothers who were admitted at King Abdul-Aziz Medical City in their third trimester had knowledge regarding postnatal exercises representing (70.53%) of the total participants, whereas only (29.47 %) of mothers were unaware of the benefits of postnatal exercises. However the mothers who had knowledge about the benefits of postnatal exercises were not all at the same level of awareness, which means that there were variations among their responses in each item of the questionnaire. It is evident from this study that higher number of antenatal mothers, who were admitted in King Abdul-Aziz Medical City in their third trimester, had knowledge regarding benefits of postnatal exercises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the markers of stress before and after a session of assisted physical exercise in infants born before 35 weeks’ gestation.Methods: 25 infants born at 280/7 to 346/7 weeks were subjected to assisted physical exercise daily for about 10-15 min at one week of postnatal age or 33 weeks of post menstrual age, whichever was later. Primary outcome was salivary cortisol and secondary outcome was Premature infant pain profile (PIPP) score. Outcomes were measured, on day 5 (±1) of exercise.Results: There was no difference in salivary cortisol between baseline and immediately after (P=0.16), at 90 min (P=0.6) or 120 min (P=0.7) after exercise. Salivary cortisol was lower at 30 min after exercise as compared to baseline (mean difference -0.08 μg/dL; 95% CI -0.16 to -0.002; P=0.04). The median (IQR) PIPP score was significantly higher at 5 min into exercise (4 (3-6) vs 4 (3-5); P=0.04) and at completion of exercise 6 (4-8) vs 4 (3-5); P<0.01), as compared to baseline.Conclusion: Assisted physical exercise does not seem to result in stress in premature infants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prenatal morphine exposure causes a variety of neurobehavioral alterations observed in later life. The present study investigated the effects of postnatal exercise and enriched environment (EE) on alterations in water maze learning and hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) and brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels induced by exposure to morphine during prenatal period in rats. On gestation days 11–18, pregnant rats were injected twice daily with saline or morphine. Offspring were subjected to postnatal exercise and EE for 30 days and afterward, spatial learning and hippocampal LTP and BDNF levels were investigated. Prenatal morphine-exposure impaired the spatial learning and hippocampal LTP in both male and female offspring. Interestingly, postnatal exercise and EE increased performance in the water maze and improved LTP in both prenatally saline and morphine-exposed male and female rats. Prenatal morphine exposure also caused a reduction in the hippocampal BDNF levels in the female, but not male rats, and postnatal exercise and EE alleviated this deficit. Our results demonstrate that postnatal exercise and EE can improve deficits in water maze learning and hippocampal LTP and BDNF levels caused by prenatal morphine exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prenatal exposure to morphine throughout pregnancy results in an array of prolonged or permanent neurochemical and behavioral deficits, including deficits in learning and memory in children of addicted mothers. This study investigated the effects of forced exercise on behavioral deficits of pups born to mothers addicted to morphine in rats. After mating and ensuring of pregnancy of female Wistar rats, they were divided into morphine or saline groups and in the second half of pregnancy (on days 11–18 of gestation) were injected subcutaneously with morphine or saline, respectively. Pups were weaned at postnatal day (PND) 21 and trained at mild intensity on a treadmill 20 days. On PND 41–47, the behavioral responses were studied. Light/dark (L/D) box and elevated plus maze (EPM) apparatus were used for investigation of anxiety, shuttle box and forced swimming tests were used to assess passive avoidance learning and memory and depression behavior, respectively. The results showed that prenatal morphine exposure caused reductions in time spent in light compartment of L/D box and EPM open arm, while postnatal exercise reversed these effects. We also found that prenatal morphine exposure caused a reduction in step through latency in passive avoidance memory test and exercise counteracted with this effect. Performance in the forced swimming test did not affected by prenatal morphine exposure or postnatal exercise. Exercise seems to be one of the strategies in reduction of behavioral deficits of children born to addicted mothers to morphine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many psychiatric disorders, including anxiety and autism spectrum disorders, have early ages of onset and high incidence in juveniles. To better treat and prevent these disorders, it is important to first understand normal development of brain circuits that process emotion. Healthy and maladaptive emotional processing involve the basolateral amygdala (BLA), dysfunction of which has been implicated in numerous psychiatric disorders. Normal function of the adult BLA relies on a fine balance of glutamatergic excitation and GABAergic inhibition. Elsewhere in the brain GABAergic transmission changes throughout development, but little is known about the maturation of GABAergic transmission in the BLA. Here we used whole cell patch-clamp recording and single-cell RT-PCR to study GABAergic transmission in rat BLA principal neurons at postnatal day (P)7, P14, P21, P28, and P35. GABAA currents exhibited a significant twofold reduction in rise time and nearly 25% reduction in decay time constant between P7 and P28. This corresponded with a shift in expression of GABAA receptor subunit mRNA from the α2- to the α1-subunit. The reversal potential for GABAA receptors transitioned from depolarizing to hyperpolarizing with age, from around -55 mV at P7 to -70 mV by P21. There was a corresponding shift in expression of opposing chloride pumps that influence the reversal, from NKCC1 to KCC2. Finally, we observed short-term depression of GABAA postsynaptic currents in immature neurons that was significantly and gradually abolished by P28. These findings reveal that in the developing BLA GABAergic transmission is highly dynamic, reaching maturity at the end of the first postnatal month. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors are key mediators of excitatory transmission and are implicated in many forms of synaptic plasticity. These receptors are heterotetrameres consisting of two obligatory NR1 and two regulatory subunits, usually NR2A or NR2B. The NR2B subunits are abundant in the early postnatal brain, while the NR2A/NR2B ratio increases during early postnatal development. This shift is driven by NMDA receptor activity. A functional interplay of the Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor Related Protein 1 (LRP1) NMDA receptor has already been reported. Such abilities as interaction of LRP1 with NMDA receptor subunits or its important role in tPa-mediated NMDA receptor signaling were already demonstrated. Moreover, mice harboring a conditional neuronal knock-out mutation of the entire Lrp1 gene display NMDA-associated behavioral changes. However, the exact role of LRP1 on NMDA receptor function remains still elusive. Results: To provide a mechanistic explanation for such effects we investigated whether an inactivating knock-in mutation into the NPxY2 motif of LRP1 might influence the cell surface expression of LRP1 and NMDA receptors in primary cortical neurons. Here we demonstrate that a knock-in into the NPxY2 motif of LRP1 results in an increased surface expression of LRP1 and NR2B NMDA receptor subunit due to reduced endocytosis rates of LRP1 and the NR2B subunit in primary neurons derived from LRP1ΔNPxY2 animals. Furthermore, we demonstrate an altered phosphorylation pattern of S1480 and Y1472 in the NR2B subunit at the surface of LRP1ΔNPxY2 neurons, while the respective kinases Fyn and casein kinase II are not differently regulated compared with wild type controls. Performing co-immunoprecipitation experiments we demonstrate that binding of LRP1 to NR2B might be linked by PSD95, is phosphorylation dependent and this regulation mechanism is impaired in LRP1ΔNPxY2 neurons. Finally, we demonstrate hyperactivity and changes in spatial and reversal learning in LRP1ΔNPxY2 mice, confirming the mechanistic interaction in a physiological readout. Conclusions: In summary, our data demonstrate that LRP1 plays a critical role in the regulation of NR2B expression at the cell surface and may provide a mechanistic explanation for the behavioral abnormalities detected in neuronal LRP1 knock-out animals reported earlier. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The study compared the motor performance of adult C57Bl/6J mice previously exposed to a 2G gravity environment during different periods of their development. 12 mice were housed in a large diameter centrifuge from the conception to Postnatal day 10 (P10). Another group of 10 mice was centrifuged form P10 to P30, and a third group of 9 mice was centrifuged from conception to P30. Their gait parameters, and kinematics of joint excursions were compared with 11 control mice, at the age of 2 months using a video-radiographic apparatus connected to a motorized treadmill. The mice that returned to Earth gravity level at the age of P10 showed a motor pattern similar to control mice. At variance the two groups that were centrifuged from P10 to P30 showed a different motor pattern with smaller and faster strides to walk at the same velocity as controls. On the other hand all the centrifuged mice showed significant postural changes, particularly with a more extended ankle joint, but the mice centrifuged during the whole experimental period differed even more. Our results showed that the exposure to hypergravity before P10 sufficed to modify the posture, suggesting that postural control starts before the onset of locomotion, whereas the gravity constraint perceived between P10 and P30 conditioned the tuning of quadruped locomotion with long term consequences. These results support the existence of a critical period in the acquisition of locomotion in mice. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We aimed to evaluate the lasting functional imprinting of exercise (EX) and catechin (CAT) on the vascular function of middle-age mice switched to a proatherogenic environment. C57BL/6J mice ( n = 10-15 in each group) fed a regular diet (RD) were exposed from the age of 1 to 9 months either to EX (voluntary running; 2.7 ± 0.2 km/day), to the polyphenol CAT (30 mg/kg/day in drinking water), or to physical inactivity (PI). At 9 months of age, EX and CAT were stopped and mice either remained on the RD or were fed a Western diet (WD) for an additional 3 months. At 12 months of age, mice from all groups fed a WD had similar body mass, systolic blood pressure, and plasma total cholesterol, glucose, insulin, and isoprostane. Compared to the RD, the WD induced an indomethacin-sensitive aortic endothelium-dependent and independent dysfunction in PI mice ( p < 0.05) that was prevented by both EX and CAT; this benefit was associated with a higher ( p < 0.05) non-nitric oxide/non-prostacyclin endothelium-dependent relaxation. While EX, but not PI or CAT, prevented vascular dysfunction induced by the WD in cerebral arteries, it had no effect in femoral arteries. The profiles of activity of antioxidant enzymes and of proinflammatory gene expression in the aorta suggest a better adaptation of EX > CAT > PI mice to stress. In conclusion, our data suggest that a postnatal exposure to EX, but not to CAT, imprints an adaptive defense capacity in the vasculature against a deleterious change in lifestyle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the effects of a physiotherapy program on incision pain and functional activities in the early post-cesarean period. Methods: Fifty women were evaluated after Cesarean operation with regard to times of ambulation and return of bowel activity, intensity of incision pain, difficulty in functional activities and number of analgesics required additional to routine pain control procedure. Twenty-four women received only routine nursing care, and a physiotherapy program was applied to the study group ( n = 26), additionally. Results: Postoperative ambulation and return of bowel activity were earlier in the study group ( p < 0.05). Incision pain and difficulty in functional activities decreased significantly within 2 days in both groups, and the values were lower in the study group ( p < 0.05). Study group needed less medication for pain control ( p < 0.05). Conclusions: Findings revealed the effectiveness of a physiotherapy program in the early post-cesarean period in a wider perspective than the current literature, and are considered to be valuable for increasing the quality and productivity of the postnatal care, therefore improving well-being after childbirth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Postnatal depression can have a substantial impact on the woman, the child and family as a whole. Thus, there is a need to examine different ways of helping women experiencing postnatal depression; encouraging them to exercise may be one way. A meta analysis found some support for exercise as an adjunctive treatment for postnatal depression but the methodological inadequacy of the few small studies included means that it is uncertain whether exercise reduces symptoms of postnatal depression. We aim to determine whether a pragmatic exercise intervention that involves one-to-one personalized exercise consultations and telephone support plus usual care in women with postnatal depression, is superior to usual care only, in reducing symptoms of postnatal depression. Methods: We aim to recruit 208 women with postnatal depression in the West Midlands. Recently delivered women who meet the ICD-10 diagnosis for depression will be randomised to usual care plus exercise or usual care only. The exercise intervention will be delivered over 6 months. The primary outcome measure is difference in mean Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale score between the groups at six month follow-up. Outcome measures will be assessed at baseline and at six and 12 month post randomization. Discussion: Findings from the research will inform future clinical guidance on antenatal and postnatal mental health, as well as inform practitioners working with postnatal depression. Trial registration number: ISRCTN84245563 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. The objective of the current investigation was to examine if the effects of a group-mediated cognitive behavioural counselling plus exercise intervention were superior to the effects of a standard exercise care condition on postnatal mothers' self- regulatory efficacy (SRE), outcome expectations (OEs) and self-directed physical activity (PA). Design. The design of the study consisted of two intervention conditions; group- mediated cognitive behavioural counselling plus exercise (GMCB) and standard exercise (SE). Each condition consisted of two phases; a 4-week supervised, centre- based intensive exercise training phase followed by a 4-week home-based phase. Methods. Participants were 57 postnatal women randomly assigned to conditions (SE: N = 3 I; GMCB: N = 26). Measures of SRE and OEs were assessed prior to and following the centre-based aspect of the intervention. Physical activity was measured following the intensive exercise training phase as well as the home-based phase. Results. GMCB participants' SRE and OEs were sustained during the intervention whereas those of SE participants declined. GMCB participants also reported significantly greater time spent engaging in self-directed PA at the conclusion of the intensive and home-based phases. Mediation analysis revealed that SRE partially mediated the relationship between intervention condition and post home-based PA as confirmed by a significant sobel test. Conclusions. These findings suggest that a theory-based GMCB counselling plus exercise intervention is superior to the SE condition in sustaining SRE and OEs, and in promoting greater self-directed PA. SRE partially mediated the relationship between intervention condition and post home-based PA supporting the targeting of that variable for change as part of the intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To meet the need for an interactive product on exercise during pregnancy and postpartum, we developed and evaluated a personally tailored multimedia CD-ROM. Methods: Pregnant and postpartum women, who were randomly assigned to either the experimental group (PregXercise™ CD-ROM) or the control group (CD-ROM with neutral content), navigated through the CD-ROM for 1h. Main outcomes were exercise self-efficacy and knowledge. Results: In analyses of covariance, compared with the control group, the experimental group had significant increases in self-efficacy and knowledge. Conclusion: The multimedia CD-ROM delivering information about exercise motivation, guidelines, and prescription was effective in improving exercise self-efficacy and knowledge. Practice implications: Our preliminary results illustrate that healthcare professionals and researchers may use interactive multimedia for improving exercise behavior and related outcomes with pregnant and postpartum women. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Maternal alcohol-intoxication during pregnancy exerts detrimental effects on fetal development and is known to influence learning ability and memory capability by altering neuronal activity in the hippocampus. c-Fos expression represents neuronal activity and plays a crucial role in the brain development. Physical exercise is known to enhance neuronal plasticity and activity. In the present study, we investigated the influence of postnatal treadmill running on the c-Fos expression in the hippocampus of rat pups born from the alcohol-intoxicated mothers. The results obtained show that maternal alcohol-intoxication suppressed c-Fos expression in the hippocampus of rat pups and that postnatal treadmill exercise enhanced c-Fos expression in the hippocampus of these rat pups. The present study suggests that exercise should be considered as a therapeutic means of countering the effects of maternal alcohol-intoxication, and that it may provide a useful strategy for enhancing the neuronal activity of children born from the mothers who abuse alcohol during pregnancy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Aim. This paper is a report of a systematic review on unassisted pelvic floor exercises for postnatal stress incontinence to identify effective interventions and highlight areas for further research. Background. Stress incontinence is a common and embarrassing problem. Childbirth is a major cause and problems can be persistent for some. However women are often reluctant to seek help. Method. We conducted a systematic literature search in December 2006 using the CINAHL, Medline and Cochrane Library databases, hand-searching of selected textbooks, checking reference lists and contacting experts. There were no date restrictions. The review included randomized controlled trials, published in English, of unassisted pelvic floor exercises in postnatal women. Two reviewers independently extracted data and assessed study quality. Main outcomes were reduction in symptoms of incontinence, patient satisfaction and quality of life. Results. Four randomized controlled trials met the inclusion criteria. Interventions ranged from written information to structured exercise classes, while usual care varied from a leaflet to group sessions with a midwife. Three out of four studies demonstrated short-term improvement in incontinence symptoms, which was statistically significant in two. However, at later follow- up there was no longer a statistically significant effect on continence. All trials found that women in the intervention group were more likely to do the exercises. Conclusion. We found few trials, quality was variable, and comparisons were difficult because of variations in interventions and outcomes measured. Further high quality evaluations are needed, using standardized interventions and outcome measures, patient-relevant outcomes such as quality of life, and follow-up periods that enable evaluation of long-term effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent research data suggest a significant role of prolonged low serum insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I concentration in the genesis of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Evidence also reveals significant early postnatal nutritional deficits and growth deceleration among premature newborns.Conclusion. Since serum IGF-I concentration is positively related to nutritional status, particularly protein nutrition, it would suggest that protein under-nutrition may be a major determinant of low serum IGF-I concentration and in the high risk of ROP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Investigation of physical activity and related psychosocial factors reported by new mothers. Methods: Women (N = 79) were surveyed to determine their physical activity patterns before and after childbirth. Barriers and facilitators of physical activity were also identified. Findings: Most women (63%) were ethnic minorities, mean age was 31.8 ± 5.5 years, and their infants' mean age was 8.2 ± 3.8 months. Combining women's reported physical activities before their pregnancy and after childbirth resulted in four significantly different groups: (1) 21.5% were inactive before and after childbirth; (2) 22.7% were active before and after; (3) 12.6% were inactive before, but active after childbirth; and (4) 43.0% were active before but inactive or irregularly active postpartum (p < .0003). Barriers to physical activity included personal issues, including lack of support from a spouse, and parenting duties. Facilitators to being active included social support for exercise and availability of childcare. Conclusions: New mothers are at high risk for inactivity and reductions in previously established levels of physical activity. They also have specific barriers and facilitators to being physically active. Future research should develop effective methods for increasing physical activity in mothers of infants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationship between physical activity and psychological well-being has been widely documented. For example, a recent meta-analysis showed that a single session of exercise is related to reductions in anxiety and depression in healthy and symptomatic populations (Guszkowska et al., 2004). Among postnatal women, an acute bout of aerobic exercise led to decreases in acute transitory anxiety and depression as well as increases in vigor (Koltyn & Schultes, 1997). However, Miller and Brown (2005) suggest that many women experience guilt taking time to exercise on their own while leaving their baby in daycare. The purpose of the present study was to compare acute psychological effects of a 45-min aerobic exercise session under two conditions: with baby present during exercise and with baby in daycare. Postnatal women (N = 8), who had given birth within the previous 12 months, completed the Exercise-Induced Feeling Inventory (EFI) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) before and after 45 min of aerobic exercise. Preliminary analyses revealed that regardless of exercise condition, women experienced improvements in affective states from pre- to post exercise across all measures (ps < .05). However, paired t tests comparing pre/post difference scores between conditions (baby present vs. in daycare) revealed significant effects for the EFI subscales of positive engagement (t = -3.10, p = .017), and physical exhaustion (t = -3.28, p = .013), as well as state anxiety (t = 3.10, p = .017). When exercising without baby, women reported feeling greater changes in positive engagement, larger decreases in state anxiety, and greater physical exhaustion. Based on these results, women appear to reap greater psychological benefits and achieve a higher level of physical exertion when their baby was not present during exercise. Although exercising with baby may satisfy negative feelings associated with leaving the baby, there appears to be a trade off in terms of achieving greater acute psychological benefits of exercise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The developmentally important DLK1-DIO3 imprinted domain on human chromosome 14 is regulated by 2 differentially methylated regions, the intergenic differentially methylated region and the MEG3 differentially methylated region.Objective: The aim was to determine the natural variation in DNA methylation at these differentially methylated regions in human placentas, and to determine its link to gene expression levels at the domain. The second goal was to explore whether the domain's methylation and gene expression correlate with prenatal and early postnatal growth of the conceptus.Study Design: Using pyrosequencing, we determined methylation levels at CpG dinucleotides across the 2 regulatory differentially methylated regions in placentas from 91 healthy mothers. At birth, placentas and infants were weighed (gestational age 39 ± 1 weeks; birthweight SD score 0.1 ± 0.8) and placental biopsies were collected. RNA expression was quantitated by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Infants' weights and lengths were followed up monthly during the first year.Results: Methylation levels at the 2 regulatory differentially methylated regions were linked and varied considerably between placentas. MEG3 promoter differentially methylated region methylation correlated negatively with weight increase (β = -0.406, P = .001, R2 = 0.206) and length increase (β = -0.363, P = .002, R2 = 0.230) during the first postnatal year. The methylation level of the intergenic differentially methylated region correlated with DIO3 expression (β = 0.313, P = .032, R2 = 0.152). Furthermore, the expression of both DIO3 and RTL1 (both imprinted genes within the DLK1-DIO3 domain) was negatively associated with birthweight (β = -0.331, P = .002, R2 = 0.165; and β = -0.307, P = .005, R2 = 0.159, respectively). RTL1 expression, in addition, was negatively linked to birth length (β = -0.306, P = .007, R2 = 0.162).Conclusion: Our combined findings strongly suggest that placental DNA methylation at the DLK1-DIO3 domain's intergenic differentially methylated region and MEG3 promoter differentially methylated region relates to measures of early human growth, and may thus contribute to its control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]