International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics

No harmful effects are seen in the weight or size of a foetus if a woman exercises up to the end of pregnancy, according to a new study.

Polytechnic University of Madrid examined women between the ages of 25 and 35, all of whom had sedentary habits and no risk of premature birth, MedCitizen.com reported.

Half of the participants followed an exercise regime under the supervision of experts in physical activity and sports science.

Jonatan R. Ruiz, researcher at the Karolinska Institute, Sweden, said: "An exercise regime carried out during the second and third trimester of pregnancy does not harm the health of the foetus."

Mr Ruiz was principal author of the study and coordinated a team from the Polytechnic University of Madrid in collaboration with the Swedish centre.

Multiple variables were used by the researchers to assess the health of the foetus in women.

Body size and gestational age were similar in the group of women who followed the exercise regime compared to those who did no form of physical activity, Mr Ruiz said.

A team lead by paediatricians from the National Research Centre in Cairo recently found that obesity and passive smoking are risks for the unborn child, the Times of India reported.

Posted by Alexandra George