A recent study reveals that engaging in regular physical activity at least three times a week during pregnancy can lower the chances of a child developing asthma by nearly 50%. This finding comes from research conducted by the University of Eastern Finland (UEF), Kuopio University Hospital (KUH), and the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL). The study analyzed data from almost 1,000 mother-child pairs tracked from pregnancy through the child’s seventh year.
It’s well-established that exercising during pregnancy benefits both the mother and her child. Previous research has also linked maternal exercise with improved lung function in newborns.
“This is the first time we have identified a connection between a mother’s physical activity and the likelihood of her child developing asthma,” states Doctoral Researcher Emma-Reetta Musakka, BM, MSc, from the University of Eastern Finland.
This association between maternal exercise and lower asthma risk in children exists independently of various maternal health, lifestyle, and environmental factors.
Maternal activity levels and the risk of asthma share several influencing factors, including maternal weight, stress levels, health conditions, family fitness practices, nutrition, and aspects like pet ownership. While this study considered many of those factors, they did not account for the protective link between a mother’s exercise and her child’s asthma risk.
“Our results strongly indicate that exercising during pregnancy positively impacts the fetus and contributes to the child’s long-term health,” Musakka explains.
It is known that maternal physical activity can influence fetal movement and respiratory actions, both of which are important for lung development.
“Although we still don’t fully understand the reasons behind this reduced asthma risk, it may be related to enhanced lung maturity in the fetus,” Musakka adds.
Asthma is the most prevalent chronic condition among children, and many cases could potentially be prevented.
“Until now, steering clear of cigarette smoke during pregnancy was one of the few effective methods to minimize a child’s asthma risk. Therefore, it is fascinating that moderate exercise during pregnancy might provide a similar protective benefit against asthma as not smoking,” remarks Dr. Pirkka Kirjavainen, the study’s lead researcher.
The research did not suggest that increasing exercise beyond three times a week would further lower asthma risk. However, additional studies are needed to explore how the duration and intensity of exercise during pregnancy relate to asthma prevention. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that expectant mothers aim for approximately 2.5 hours of moderate exercise each week.
“These findings are very encouraging regarding asthma prevention. It’s great to see that by dedicating time to reasonable exercise, mothers can markedly improve not only their own health but also their child’s well-being,” Kirjavainen concludes.
The results of this study were recently published in MED.
