Exercise may help pregnant women maintain their long-term fitness and lower their cardiovascular disease risk, according to a small study. The women in this follow-up study had participated in a trial during their pregnancies 18 to 20 years earlier, during which one group did regular weight-bearing exercises (running, aerobics, and cross-country skiing) and the other did not. For the current study, the women were brought back to determine if the exercise produced any long-term health effects. The researchers found that women who had kept their fitness regimen intact during pregnancy continued to exercise at a higher rate over time than those who had taken a 9-month workout hiatus. Plus, they had gained less weight and had healthier hearts.
Source: American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, November 2008