Abstract
Objective
To evaluate the effectiveness of aerobic dance on cardiorespiratory fitness in pregnant women.
Design
Randomised controlled trial.
Participants
Sixty-two primiparous women with a mean age of 30.6 [standard deviation (SD) 3.7] years randomised to exercise (n=34) and (n=28) control groups.
Intervention
Two aerobic dance classes per week and 30 minutes of daily self-imposed physical activity for 12 weeks.
Main outcome measure
Cardiorespiratory fitness, assessed using a submaximal treadmill test to establish oxygen uptake (VO2) (ml/kg/minute) at three different levels of blood lactate. Levels 1, 2 and 3 were calculated and defined as 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5mmol/l above resting blood lactate level, respectively.
Results
The women in the exercise group attended a mean of 20 (SD 12) out of 24 aerobic dance classes. Both groups had a small significant decrease in VO2 between baseline and post-intervention: the exercise group decreased from 25.8 (SD 3.3) to 24.5 (SD 3.8)ml/kg/minute and the control group decreased from 25.8 (SD 3.1) to 24.5 (SD 2.5)ml/kg/minute at Level 3 (anaerobic threshold) (mean difference in change at Level 3=0.1, 95% confidence interval −1.4 to 1.7; P=0.89). There were no differences in change between the groups at any level.
Conclusion
A 12-week aerobic dance programme had no effect on cardiorespiratory fitness in pregnant women.
Citation
Effect of aerobic dance on cardiorespiratory fitness in pregnant women: A randomised controlled trial.Physiotherapy - March 2013 (Vol. 99, Issue 1, Pages 42-48, DOI: 10.1016/j.physio.2011.11.002)
Silje Halvorsen, Lene A.H. Haakstad, Elisabeth Edvardsen, Kari Bø