Introduction
It is known that Total cholesterol (TC) and Triglycerides (TG) levels can increase by up to 50 % during late pregnancy, conserving glucose and amino acids for the fetus while enabling the mother to derive energy from elevated lipids. However, the impact of aerobic exercise on lipid levels in non-dyslipidemic pregnant women remains unclear. To compare the effects of a structured aerobic exercise program versus usual physical activity on maternal lipid levels in pregnant women during their third trimester.
Methods
We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Central for ran- domised controlled trial(s) (RCT) comparing lipid profile TC, Low-density lipoprotein (LDL), High-density lipoprotein (HDL), and TG in pregnant women engaged in aerobic exercise versus those with usual physical activity. We employed the standardised mean difference (SMD) with a random-effects model to compare the post-intervention lipid pro- files. The level of heterogeneity was assessed using I(2) statistic. All statistical analyses were performed using RStudio 4.4.3.
Results
Eight studies were included in the analy- sis, encompassing 839 patients, of whom 44.69 % (n = 375) were assigned to the exercise group. The included patients were not dyslipidemia during the first trimester. Pregnant patients under a structured aerobic exercise program presented with a non-significant re- duction in TC levels (SMD 95 %CI:0.30-0.88; p00.28; I(2) = 0.32 %)86, LDL levels (SMD 95 %CI:0.08-0.51; p00.34; I(2) = 0.71 %)74, TG levels (-0.75 95 %CI:1.66-0.16; p00.11; I(2) = 91 %), and HDL levels (SMD 95 %CI:0.22-0.54; p00.09; I(2) = 0.16 %)58.
Conclusion
In non-dyslipidemic pregnant patients, a structured exercise program does not reduce lipid levels compared to usual physical activity, thereby maintaining the physiolog- ical advantages of the lipid increase observed in the third trimester.