The proven benefits of exercise for pregnant women include shorter delivery and quick delivery; babies with a higher birth weight; and reducing pregnancy-related discomforts, such as nausea and fatigue. In the non-pregnant population, exercise has been shown to improve many parameters of cardiovascular health, including heart rate, carbohydrate tolerance, and hypertension.

The purpose of this study was to find out if the benefits of physical activity on reducing blood pressure were reflected in the pregnant population. The study group was made up of 16 pregnant women at high risk of gestational hypertensive disorders (chronic hypertension, gestational hypertension, and/or preeclampsia) or with a family history of hypertensive disorders.

Subjects were recruited before 14 weeks’ gestation, observed for four weeks, and then assigned to an exercise group or a control group. The first did 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise, consisting of activity on a motorized treadmill or a cycling goniometer, three times a week for 10 weeks. The latter maintained a normal level of physical activity.

The systolic blood pressure values ​​did not change significantly for the two groups. However, diastolic blood pressure decreased by 3.5 mm Hg in the training group and increased by 1.1 mm Hg in the control group, which represents a total difference of 4.6 mm Hg between the groups. The two groups engaged in similar daily physical activities and were similar in weight and body composition, suggesting that exercise had an independent influence on blood pressure.

Conclusion: This study showed that 10 weeks of moderate exercise reduced diastolic blood pressure in pregnant women at risk of hypertensive disorders.