European Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 285 (2023)56-58Contents lists available at ScienceDirectEuropean Journal of Obstetrics Gynecology andReproductive biologyELSEVIERjournal homepage:www.journals.elsevier.com/european-journal-of-obstetrics-and-gynecology-and-reproductive-biologyFull length articleHigh-intensity exercise during pregnancy -A position paper by theEuropean Board and College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (EBCOG)Marlon Harmsworth,Charles Savona-Ventura,Tahir MahmoodDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynoecology,Untversity of Malta MalVictoria Hospital,Kirkonldy and Spire Murrayfield Hospisl,Edinburg Unised KingdomEBOOG Suanding Committee on Ssandards of Core and Posirion StementsARTICLE INFOABSTRACTKeywordsMost guidelines recommend regular physical exercise to all pregnant women.However,because of thePregnancyanatomical and physiological changes which occur during pregnancy,high-intensity exercise and forms ofPhysiologyextreme sports can place the pregnant woman and her fetus at risk of harm.Ext reme sportsBlunt abdominal traumaAccidental fallsDeceleration traumaHypoxia effectsDecompression sicknessInduced hyperthermiaGood practice adviceIntroductionsport activities with risks of indirect trauma,such as those due tosudden accelerations and decelerations.The World Health Organization recommends that all healthy preg-.sport activities where oxygen supply may be impaired.This criterionnant and puerperal women should undertake regular physical activity ofis particularly applicable to individuals with cyanotic respiratory orat least 150 min of moderate-to-intense aerobic activity throughout thecardiovascular disorders.week,including a variety of aerobic and muscle-strengthening exercises.Women who habitually engage in high-intensity exercise can continueHigh impact intensive exercise compounded by the physiologicalduring pregnancy and the puerperium [1].The WHO recommendationschanges that occur during pregnancy may potentially have an impact onare reflected in a number of country-specific guidelines related toearly fetal development during the first trimester mediated through al.physical activity during pregnancy [2].Exercise activities which haveterations in thermoregulation and hypoxia,whereas exercise-been extensively studied and shown to be safe and beneficial includepotentiated hypoxia could result in fetal hypoxia during the secondwalking,stationary cycling,aerobic exercises,dancing,resistance andand third trimesters.stretching exercises,and water sports that do not involve diving [3].With the increasing participation of women in competitive high in-Physiological changes during pregnancytensity sports,the issue of the potential effects of such activity duringpregnancy has gained increasing relevance.Pregnant women undergo a series of physiological changes involvingBecause of the physiological and anatomical changes associated withglucometabolic,thermoregulatory and cardiorespiratory alterationspregnancy,caution must be advocated in
