Relationship between Physical Activity and the Metabolic, Inflammatory Axis in Pregnant Participants

Adeline Bockler, Nina Ferrari, Clara Deibert, Anne Flöck, Waltraut M. Merz, Ulrich Gembruch, Christina Ehrhardt, Jörg Dötsch and Christine Joisten
Additional contact information
Adeline Bockler: Department of General Internal Medicine/Cardiology, Marienhof Hospital, Rudolf-Virchow-Str. 7–9, 56073 Koblenz, Germany
Nina Ferrari: Cologne Center for Prevention in Childhood and Youth/Heart Center Cologne, University Hospital of Cologne, Kerpener Str. 62, 50937 Cologne, Germany
Clara Deibert: Department of Pediatric, DRK Hospital Kirchen, Bahnhofstraße 24, 57548 Kirchen, Germany
Anne Flöck: Department of Obstetrics and Prenatal Medicine, University Bonn Medical School, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127 Bonn, Germany
Waltraut M. Merz: Department of Obstetrics and Prenatal Medicine, University Bonn Medical School, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127 Bonn, Germany
Ulrich Gembruch: Department of Obstetrics and Prenatal Medicine, University Bonn Medical School, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127 Bonn, Germany
Christina Ehrhardt: Department for Physical Activity in Public Health, Institute of Movement and Neurosciences, German Sport University Cologne, Am Sportpark Müngersdorf 6, 50933 Cologne, Germany
Jörg Dötsch: Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Cologne and University of Cologne, Robert-Koch-Str. 16, 50931 Cologne, Germany
Christine Joisten: Department for Physical Activity in Public Health, Institute of Movement and Neurosciences, German Sport University Cologne, Am Sportpark Müngersdorf 6, 50933 Cologne, Germany

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 24, 1-12

Abstract: Physical activity (PA) during pregnancy is beneficial for mother and child. Little is known regarding the effects of PA on specific adipokines/myokines and their impact during pregnancy. This study investigates the correlation between PA during late pregnancy, body composition, and maternal levels of leptin, IL-6, and TNF-α at delivery. In a cross-sectional study of 91 pregnant participants (mean age 33.9 ± 4.6 years) without gestational diabetes mellitus or preeclampsia, anthropometric data and blood samples were taken at delivery. PA during the third trimester was measured via the Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire. Activities were ranked by intensity: sedentary (<1.5 metabolic equivalent (METs)), light (1.5–3.0 METs), moderate (3.0–6.0 METs), and vigorous activity (>6.0 METs). Leptin at delivery correlated positively with body composition and negatively with light PA intensity. Sedentary behaviour showed a positive correlation with IL-6 levels at delivery. Moderate activity during the last trimester, sedentary activity levels, and body composition had the greatest influence on maternal IL-6 at delivery. Completed weeks of pregnancy, moderate and light PA, and sedentary activity had the greatest influence on maternal TNF-α at delivery. PA during late pregnancy potentially affects circulating (adipo-)/myokines. Further studies are needed to examine causal relationships and the impact on maternal and new-born health.

Keywords: pregnancy; myokine; adipokine; physical activity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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