Pregnant Elite Athletes and Pregnant Women Exercising With Moderate Intensity

Pregnant Elite Athletes and Pregnant Women Exercising With Moderate Intensity

The aim of this study is to 1. register possible changes to uteroplacental circulation in relation to physical tests, 2. to register energy and nutritional intake, relationship towards the body during pregnancy and during the early period after giving birth, 3. register the experience of guidance given related to exercise, nutrition, and recovery, 4. register elite athletes' experience of combining the role of being a mom and an elite athlete, and 5. register attitudes and reactions from the support system when it comes to being an elite athlete and being pregnant. Material and method: 30 pregnant female elite athletes and 30 moderately physically active pregnant women will be recruited for the completion of physical testing and questionnaires and questionnaires only, respectively. 20 national team leaders/coaches and 10 sponsors will be recruited for a semi-structured interview about attitudes, reactions and guidance towards athletes who become pregnant and still wish to continue their career as an athlete after pregnancy.

The aim of this study is to 1. register possible changes to uteroplacental circulation in relation to physical tests, 2. to register energy and nutritional intake, relationship towards the body during pregnancy and during the early period after giving birth, 3. register the experience of guidance given related to exercise, nutrition, and recovery, 4. register elite athletes' experience of combining the role of being a mom and an elite athlete, and 5. register attitudes and reactions from the support system when it comes to being an elite athlete and being pregnant. Material and method: It is expected that we can include 30 pregnant female elite athletes for the physiological testing who also will complete the questionnaires included in the study. In addition, 30 moderately physically active pregnant women will be recruited for the completion of the questionnaires only. Both groups answer questions related to exercise, pregnancy related issues, nutrition and their relationship towards their body. To obtain enough participants, data collection will continue for five years. During the same period, 20 national team leaders/coaches and 10 sponsors will be recruited for a semi-structured interview. The physiological testing will be conducted during the 23-29th week of pregnancy. The athletes will conduct a running test and resistance tests in the lab. The following measures will be registered: pulsatility index (PI) and volume blood flow in both uterine arteries, 2. the fetus' pulsatility index (PI) in the umbilical cord artery and heart rate frequency, 3. body temperature, heart rate, blood pressure and saturation in the mother during rest and during physical exertion. Data on gestational development and birth will be collected based on information given by the participant herself and by birth records and health records. Coaches/leaders and sponsors will in their interview, answer to questions related to attitudes, reactions and guidance of athletes who become pregnant and still wish to continue their career as an athlete after pregnancy.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Athletes: pregnant female pregnant elite athletes at a recruiting team, junior or senior, who represent athletes within endurance, weight sensitive, ball sports, and technical sports.
• Controls/reference group: pregnant females who are moderately physically active.
• For both groups: age 18-40 år.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Known illness or disease, which defines their pregnancy as a high-risk pregnancy
• Age >40 years old.