X
theAsianparent Logo
theAsianparent Logo
Product GuideSign in
  • Awards
    • Parents' Choice Awards 2023
  • Pregnancy
    • Due date calculator
    • I'm pregnant
    • Trying To Conceive
    • Labour
    • After birth
    • Baby loss
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Child
    • Newborn
    • Baby
    • Toddler
    • Pre-Schooler
    • Kid
    • Pre-Teen & Teen
  • Feeding & Nutrition
    • Diseases-Injuries
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Meal Planner
    • Health
    • Allergies & Conditions
    • Vaccinations
  • Education
    • Pre-School
    • Primary School
    • Secondary School
    • Primary School Directory
  • Lifestyle
    • Money
    • Travel & Leisure
    • Fashion
    • Home
    • Fitness
    • Contests & promotions
  • News
    • International
    • Health
    • Celebrity
    • Singapore
  • TAP Recommends
  • Shopping
  • Press Releases
  • Project Sidekicks
  • Community
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us
  • Become A Contributor
  • VIP

Exercising while pregnant may benefit your baby's long-term health

3 min read

New research has found that exercise during pregnancy may lead to children’s long-term health benefits, reports Psychology Today.

Researchers from the University of Kentucky, led by associate professor Kevin Pearson of the university’s Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, found that the offspring of mice who exercised had better stress resistance and improved insulin sensitivity compared to those born to sedentary mothers. These traits were carried into adulthood.

benefits of exercise during pregnancy

Though the study was conducted on rodents, the researchers believe that this can probably be applied to humans too. “Our findings highlight pregnancy as a sensitive period when positive lifestyle interventions could have significant and long-lasting beneficial effects on offspring metabolism and disease risk,” the research team wrote in a media release.

These findings are consistent with the recommendations of plenty of medical experts, who have been recommending exercise during pregnancy for reasons other than the child’s long-term health.

“You need to be physically active during pregnancy,” high-risk pregnancy expert Dr. Laura Riley tells WebMD. “It has terrific benefits that are associated with a better pregnancy outcome and even shorter labors. It’s a win-win for baby and for mom.”

On the next page: tips on exercising safely while pregnant.

Here are a few tips from BabyCenter on how to exercise safely while pregnant

How much exercise is safe for pregnancy?

One rule of thumb is if you exercised regularly before pregnancy, you can probably continue your exercise regime. However, it’s best to consult with your doctor first, especially if you want to start or change your exercise routine.

Choose safe sports

You should definitely use your common sense when choosing your exercises. Avoid contact sports like basketball, as well as those that come with a risk of falling—surfing, rock climbing, mountain biking, etc.

benefits of exercise during pregnancy

Photo: Dreamstime

Don’t exercise in high heat

When you’re pregnant, you get overheated faster because of your increased blood flow and higher metabolic rate. If you’re feeling dizzy, nauseated, or short of breath, stop and cool off. Make sure that you stay hydrated as well.

Partner Stories
Empowering Couples in Singapore: A Guide to Family Planning for a Brighter Future
Empowering Couples in Singapore: A Guide to Family Planning for a Brighter Future
4 Good Toilet Hygiene Habits for Kids to Have Early in Life
4 Good Toilet Hygiene Habits for Kids to Have Early in Life
Great ideas for gifts for Chinese New Year 2023!
Great ideas for gifts for Chinese New Year 2023!
Learn Tech and Media Skills, Gain Industry Exposure and Build a Portfolio. Here’s How Your Child Can Benefit from an Infocomm or Media CCA!
Learn Tech and Media Skills, Gain Industry Exposure and Build a Portfolio. Here’s How Your Child Can Benefit from an Infocomm or Media CCA!

Moderation is key

Now is not the time to push your body to the limit. You should be able to do at least 20-30 minutes of exercise, but moderately.

Be sure to check out theAsianparent Community for more insightful stories, questions, and answers from parents and experts alike. If you have any insights, questions or comments regarding the topic, please share them in our Comment box below. 

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download theAsianparent Community on iOS or Android now!

img
Written by

Cristina Morales

  • Home
  • /
  • Pregnancy
  • /
  • Exercising while pregnant may benefit your baby's long-term health
Share:
  • Birth Interventions Can Cause Long-term Health Complications, Say Experts

    Birth Interventions Can Cause Long-term Health Complications, Say Experts

  • Study Says C-sections With A Little Labour Are Better For Your Baby's Long-term Health

    Study Says C-sections With A Little Labour Are Better For Your Baby's Long-term Health

  • This Made My Day: Woman Stuck in JB Customs Queue Thanks Students for Helping to Care For Her Young Kids

    This Made My Day: Woman Stuck in JB Customs Queue Thanks Students for Helping to Care For Her Young Kids

  • I Try Tracy Lee's Hack for Egg Tarts and It's So Easy That Even Kids Can Make it

    I Try Tracy Lee's Hack for Egg Tarts and It's So Easy That Even Kids Can Make it

  • Birth Interventions Can Cause Long-term Health Complications, Say Experts

    Birth Interventions Can Cause Long-term Health Complications, Say Experts

  • Study Says C-sections With A Little Labour Are Better For Your Baby's Long-term Health

    Study Says C-sections With A Little Labour Are Better For Your Baby's Long-term Health

  • This Made My Day: Woman Stuck in JB Customs Queue Thanks Students for Helping to Care For Her Young Kids

    This Made My Day: Woman Stuck in JB Customs Queue Thanks Students for Helping to Care For Her Young Kids

  • I Try Tracy Lee's Hack for Egg Tarts and It's So Easy That Even Kids Can Make it

    I Try Tracy Lee's Hack for Egg Tarts and It's So Easy That Even Kids Can Make it

Get advice on your pregnancy and growing baby. Sign up for our newsletter
  • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Education
    • Events
    • Allergies & Conditions
  • Family Occasions
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Child Safety
    • Health
    • Diseases-Injuries
  • Lifestyle
    • Home
    • Money
    • Feeding & Nutrition
    • Diet & Weightloss
  • Normal Delivery
    • Cesarean Delivery
    • Behaviour
    • Secondary School
    • Formula Feeding
  • Ages & Stages
    • Latching & Concerns
    • Festivals & Holidays
    • Education
    • Pre-teen & Teen
  • More
    • TAP Community
    • Advertise With Us
    • Contact Us
    • Become a Contributor


  • Singapore flag Singapore
  • Thailand flag Thailand
  • Indonesia flag Indonesia
  • Philippines flag Philippines
  • Malaysia flag Malaysia
  • Sri-Lanka flag Sri Lanka
  • India flag India
  • Vietnam flag Vietnam
  • Australia flag Australia
  • Japan flag Japan
  • Nigeria flag Nigeria
  • Kenya flag Kenya
© Copyright theAsianparent 2023. All rights reserved
About Us|Team|Privacy Policy|Terms of Use |Sitemap HTML
  • Tools
  • Articles
  • Feed
  • Poll

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

theAsianparent heart icon
We’d like to send you notifications for the latest news and lifestyle updates.