Physical activity during pregnancy and offspring characteristics at 8-10 years.

Aim: We evaluated relationships between mothers' physical activity (PA) during pregnancy and child blood pressure, aerobic fitness, and birth weight.
Methods: Anthropometrics, systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressures, and aerobic fitness were measured on 20 mother/child pairs, 8-10 years postpartum. Pregnancy PA (kJ/kg.wk) was calculated from historical recall. Women were classified as meeting, or not meeting ACOG PA recommendations.
Results: Twelve women met ACOG recommendations, and their children had significantly lower birth weights (3.51±0.45 kg) than the more sedentary women (4.05±0.67 kg). Third trimester maternal PA was inversely related to child SBP (rs=-0.46, P=0.04) but not aerobic fitness. Birth weight was inversely related to SBP (rs=-0.75, P=0.03) if mothers did not meet PA recommendations.
Conclusion: Results from our preliminary study suggest that maternal PA is associated with an alteration in the relationship between birth weight and SBP.