The Influence of Maternal Aerobic Exercise, Blood DHA and EPA Concentrations on Maternal Lipid Profiles

Cody J. Strom, Samantha M. McDonald, Mary-Margaret Remchak, Kimberly A. Kew, Blake R. Rushing, Joseph A. Houmard, David A. Tulis, Roman Pawlak, George A. Kelley, Lisa Chasan-Taber, Edward Newton, Christy Isler, James DeVente, Madigan Raper and Linda E. May
Additional contact information
Cody J. Strom: Department of Kinesiology and Sport, University of Southern Indiana, Evansville, IN 47712, USA
Samantha M. McDonald: School of Kinesiology and Recreation, Illinois State University, Normal, IL 61790, USA
Mary-Margaret Remchak: Department of Kinesiology & Health, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
Kimberly A. Kew: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA
Blake R. Rushing: Department of Nutrition, Nutrition Research Institute, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Kannapolis, NC 28081, USA
Joseph A. Houmard: Department of Kinesiology, College of Health and Human Performance, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA
David A. Tulis: Department of Physiology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA
Roman Pawlak: Department of Nutrition Science, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA
George A. Kelley: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA
Lisa Chasan-Taber: Department of Biostatistics & Epidemiology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
Edward Newton: College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA
Christy Isler: College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA
James DeVente: College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA
Madigan Raper: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, Blacksburg, VA 24060, USA
Linda E. May: Department of Kinesiology, College of Health and Human Performance, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 6, 1-14

Abstract: Exercise and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) supplementation independently improve lipid profiles. The influence of both exercise and PUFAs on lipids during pregnancy remains unknown. This study evaluated exercise, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) concentrations on lipids during pregnancy. Participants were randomized to aerobic exercise or control groups. From 16 weeks gestation until delivery, groups met 3x/week; exercisers performed moderate-intensity aerobic activity, controls performed low-intensity stretching and breathing. At 16 and 36 weeks’ gestation, maternal blood was analyzed for lipids (total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), triglycerides (TG)), DHA and EPA. In intent-to-treat analysis, the aerobic group ( n = 20), relative to controls ( n = 10), exhibited a higher HDL change across gestation ( p = 0.03). In a per protocol analysis, the aerobic group, relative to controls, exhibited 21.2% lower TG at 36 weeks ( p = 0.04). After controlling for 36-week DHA and EPA, exercise dose predicts 36 weeks’ TG (F (1,36) = 6.977, p = 0.012, r 2 = 0.16). Aerobic exercise normalizes late pregnancy TG. During pregnancy, exercise dose controls the rise in TG, therefore maintaining normal levels. DHA and EPA do not have measurable effects on lipids. Regardless of PUFA levels, exercise at recommended levels maintains appropriate TG levels in pregnant women. Normal TG levels are critical for pregnancy outcomes, and further studies are warranted to investigate this association in broader populations.

Keywords: pregnancy; exercise; DHA; EPA; aerobic; lipids (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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