The Effects of Swimming During Pregnancy on Pregnant Woman and Fetus
【Supercategory：7. DESCENTE SPORTS SCIENCE Subcategory：7.8 Vol.8】
In order to evaluate the effects of swimming during pregnancy on mather and fetus, the present study was performed.
Two hundred and forty four pregnant women were given a swimming program from 12 weeks of gestation to term. Among swimmers, the incidence of premature labor was 2.7% and that of clinical symptoms; leg swelling, leg varicosity, hemorrhoids, constipation and insomnia, was not different from that of non-swimmers. Weight gain was not different between the swimmers and the non-swimmers, as well. On the other hand, breath holding time, measured sequentially along the entire course, shows a considerable prolongation.
In 45% of primipara of the swimmers, duration of labor was within 5 hours and it was within 10 hours in 78%. Thus, duration of labor became shorter compared with that of the non-swimmers.
Birth weight was not different between the swimmers and the non-swimmers.
The results suggest that swimming during pregnancy does not induce premature labor and that it does not affect the fetal well-being. In addition, it indicates that swimming during pregnancy can improve the performance during labor. Therefore, swimming is one of some sports that the pregnant women can enjoy, if it is done under the medical observation.
DESCENTE SPORTS SCIENCE Vol.8/THE DESCENTE AND ISHIMOTO MEMORIAL FOUNDATION FOR THE PROMOTION SPORTS SCIENCE
Two hundred and forty four pregnant women were given a swimming program from 12 weeks of gestation to term. Among swimmers, the incidence of premature labor was 2.7% and that of clinical symptoms; leg swelling, leg varicosity, hemorrhoids, constipation and insomnia, was not different from that of non-swimmers. Weight gain was not different between the swimmers and the non-swimmers, as well. On the other hand, breath holding time, measured sequentially along the entire course, shows a considerable prolongation.
In 45% of primipara of the swimmers, duration of labor was within 5 hours and it was within 10 hours in 78%. Thus, duration of labor became shorter compared with that of the non-swimmers.
Birth weight was not different between the swimmers and the non-swimmers.
The results suggest that swimming during pregnancy does not induce premature labor and that it does not affect the fetal well-being. In addition, it indicates that swimming during pregnancy can improve the performance during labor. Therefore, swimming is one of some sports that the pregnant women can enjoy, if it is done under the medical observation.
DESCENTE SPORTS SCIENCE Vol.8/THE DESCENTE AND ISHIMOTO MEMORIAL FOUNDATION FOR THE PROMOTION SPORTS SCIENCE
| Researcher | Takashi Koyanagi*1, Shiro Kubota*2, Hiroshi Shimokawa*1, Kenji Hara*1, Hitoo Nakano*1 |
|---|---|
| University or institution | *1 Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine, Kyushu University, *2 Kubota Maternity Clinic |
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