Research

Water aerobics II: maternal body composition and perinatal outcomes after a program for low risk pregnant women

Sergio R Cavalcante¹ , Jose G Cecatti¹ , Rosa I Pereira² , Erica P Baciuk¹ , Ana L Bernardo¹ and Carla Silveira¹

¹  Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Sao Paulo, Brazil

²  Department of Anesthesiology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Sao Paulo, Brazil

author email corresponding author email

Reproductive Health 2009, 6:1doi:10.1186/1742-4755-6-1

Published:	6 January 2009

Abstract

Background

To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of water aerobics during pregnancy.

Methods

A randomized controlled trial carried out in 71 low-risk sedentary pregnant women, randomly allocated to water aerobics or no physical exercise. Maternal body composition and perinatal outcomes were evaluated. For statistical analysis Chi-square, Fisher's or Student's t-tests were applied. Risk ratios and their 95% CI were estimated for main outcomes. Body composition was evaluated across time using MANOVA or Friedman multiple analysis.

Results

There were no significant differences between the groups regarding maternal weight gain, BMI or percentage of body fat during pregnancy. Incidence of preterm births (RR = 0.84; 95%CI:0.28–2.53), vaginal births (RR = 1.24; 95%CI:0.73–2.09), low birthweight (RR = 1.30; 95%CI:0.61–2.79) and adequate weight for gestational age (RR = 1.50; 95%CI:0.65–3.48) were also not significantly different between groups. There were no significant differences in systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate between before and immediately after the water aerobics session.

Conclusion

Water aerobics for sedentary pregnant women proved to be safe and was not associated with any alteration in maternal body composition, type of delivery, preterm birth rate, neonatal well-being or weight.