Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Is Physical Activity During Late Pregnancy Related To Infant Body Composition At Birth?, Brenna Menke

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Exercise is typically regarded as having a positive impact on maternal and infant health. However, the relationship between maternal physical activity and infant body composition is unclear. The aim of this project was to determine how a physically active lifestyle during late pregnancy influences infant anthropometrics at birth. Pregnant women (34-39 weeks gestation) with low-risk pregnancies were given the Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire (PPAQ) and an accelerometer to wear on their non-dominant wrist for seven consecutive days. Approximately 24-48 hours after delivery, infant body composition was assessed utilizing air displacement plethysmography at the patients’ bedside. Fifty-five pregnant women participated (age: …