# PREGNANCY AND EXERCISE

> **NIH NIH R01** · CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY · 1994 · $125,217

## Abstract

This proposal is designed to prospectively examine the interaction between
two types of endurance exercise and the course and outcome of pregnancy.
Its goal is to test the broad hypothesis that, above a threshold level,
endurance types of exercise have a negative, dose-response effect on
multiple aspects of the reproductive process in female recreational
endurance athletes.  Data addressing potential mechanisms for this effect
will be obtained by evaluating each subject's physiological response to
exercise.

Over 5 years the actual exercise performance and the cardiovascular,
metabolic, respiratory, and thermal response to two types of endurance
exercise will be evaluated in 150 well-conditioned women prior to and
during pregnancy.  75 runners and 75 aerobic dancers form the study
populace which will be prospectively matched with a control group.  Subsets
of these groups will be used to evaluate specific physiological responses
in greater detail.  Methodologies include:  underwater weighing and
skinfold measurements for assessing body composition; a daily exercise log
and portable heart rate monitor for assessing actual exercise performance;
treadmill testing with appropriate respiratory and thermal equipment for
assessing VO2 max and the metabolic, respiratory and thermal response to
exercise; menstrual record, Beta-subunit and ultrasound for accurate
pregnancy dating, standard enzymati and RIA methodologies for measurement
of blood levels of catecholamines, glucose, lactate, insulin and cortisol;
and standard morphometric techniques for assessment of fetal, placental and
neonatal growth.

The physiological data and exercise log will be used to calculate both
time-specific and cumulative exercise stress expressed as a
duration-intensity index.  This independent variable will be correlated
with multiple reproductive outcome variables such as:  fertility; early and
late pregnancy complications; course of labor and delivery; neonatal and
placental morphometrics; and, growth through the first year of life.
Specific subsets of physiological data will be used to assess the potential
mechanisms likely to be involved in the interaction.  Currently, there is a
paucity of information in this area and the information obtained will have
direct application to 25% of women considering pregnancy.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 2198195
- **Project number:** 5R01HD021268-07
- **Recipient organization:** CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY
- **SAM.gov UEI:** HJMKEF7EJW69
- **Principal Investigator:** JAMES F CLAPP
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1994
- **Award amount:** $125,217
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1986-04-01 → 1996-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/2198195

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 2198195, PREGNANCY AND EXERCISE (5R01HD021268-07). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/2198195. Licensed CC0.

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