The influence of exercise during pregnancy on racial/ethnic health disparities and birth outcomes

Abstract Background Non-Hispanic black (NHB) pregnant women disproportionately experience adverse birth outcomes compared to white (NHW) women. The positive effects of prenatal exercise on maternal and neonatal health may mitigate these disparities. This study evaluated the influence racial/ethnic disparities in gestational age (GA), birthweight (BW), risks preterm (PTB), cesarean section (CS), low-birthweight (LBW) neonates. Methods performed a secondary data analysis using from 24-week, two-arm intervention trial (ENHANCED by Mom). Women with singleton pregnancies (< 16 weeks), aged 18–40 years, BMI between 18.5–34.99 kg/m 2 , no preexisting conditions were eligible. aerobic exercisers (EX) participated 150 min moderate-intensity weekly while non-exercising controls (CON) attended low-intensity stretching/breathing sessions. Data GA, PTB 37 BW, LBW 2.5 kg), delivery mode collected. Poisson, median linear regressions performed. Results Participants complete ( n = 125) eligible for analyses (EX: 58, CON: 67). NHB delivered lighter neonates (β − 0.43 kg, 95% CI: 0.68, 0.18, p 0.001). After adjusting exercise, BW reduced 0.39 0.65, 0.13, 0.004). Prenatal borderline significant 0.053) GA 0.07) found CS LBW. Conclusions findings this demonstrate that attenuate observed possibly PTB. Larger, diverse samples inclusion biomarkers (e.g., cytokines) are encouraged further evaluate relationships.