Exercise-induced changes in uterine artery blood flow, as measured by Doppler ultrasound, in pregnant subjects

Am J Perinatol. 1988 Apr;5(2):94-7. doi: 10.1055/s-2007-999663.

Abstract

Eleven healthy women with singleton pregnancies between 16 and 28 weeks gestation were continuously exercised, in a graded fashion, by stationary bicycle to a predetermined target heart rate. Before and within 3 minutes after exercise, uterine artery waveforms were identified from a semirecumbent position using a 3.5 MHz continuous-wave Doppler transducer coupled to an Angioscan spectrum analyzer. The ratio of peak systolic to end-diastolic frequency (A/B ratio) was utilized to assess qualitative differences in flow before and after exercise. No statistically significant changes in A/B ratios were noted. This study suggests that nonexhaustive maternal exercise does not compromise uterine artery blood flow in healthy, low-risk pregnant subjects.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Arteries / physiology
  • Exercise Test
  • Female
  • Heart Rate
  • Humans
  • Physical Exertion*
  • Pregnancy / physiology*
  • Regional Blood Flow
  • Ultrasonography*
  • Uterus / blood supply*