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, Linda E May

Journal: International journal of environmental research and public health 2022;19(6):3550

PMID: 35329235

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 ( = 20), relative to controls ( = 10), exhibited a higher HDL change across gestation ( = 0.03). In a per protocol analysis, the aerobic group, relative to controls, exhibited 21.2% lower TG at 36 weeks ( = 0.04). After controlling for 36-week DHA and EPA, exercise dose predicts 36 weeks' TG (F (1,36) = 6.977, = 0.012, r = 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.

Address: Department of Kinesiology and Sport, University of Southern Indiana, Evansville, IN 47712, USA.; School of Kinesiology and Recreation, Illinois State University, Normal, IL 61790, USA.; Department of Kinesiology & Health, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA.; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA.; Department of Nutrition, Nutrition Research Institute, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Kannapolis, NC 28081, USA.; Department of Kinesiology, College of Health and Human Performance, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA.; East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA.; Department of Physiology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA.; Department of Nutrition Science, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA.; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA.; Department of Biostatistics & Epidemiology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA.; College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA.; Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, Blacksburg, VA 24060, USA.; Department of Kinesiology, College of Health and Human Performance, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA.; East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA.; College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA.; School of Dental Medicine, Department of Foundational Sciences and Research, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA.
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