Association Between Heavy Lifting - Recreational and Occupational - and Pregnancy Outcomes
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12775/QS.2026.53.70217Keywords
pregnancy, preterm birth, occupational health, physical activity, heavy lifting, resistance trainingAbstract
Background: For years, pregnant women were told to avoid heavy lifting and high-intensity movement. However, current research shows the distinction between different types of physical load. While recreational lifting and strength training offer positive health benefits, repetitive heavy lifting in a workplace setting can lead to negative clinical outcomes.
Aim: The aim of this review is to evaluate the association between heavy lifting - both occupational and recreational - and various pregnancy outcomes, including preterm birth, fetal growth, and maternal health, based on recent clinical literature.
Methodology: A review of clinical guidelines and meta-analyses from 2016–2025 was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar.
Results: Findings indicate that occupational lifting (repetitive loads >10–15 kg) is associated with a modest increase in preterm birth and miscarriage risk, particularly when combined with prolonged standing. In contrast, recreational heavy resistance training (HRT) showed no significant correlation with adverse neonatal outcomes or pelvic floor dysfunction. Furthermore, structured exercise significantly reduces the incidence of gestational diabetes and hypertensive disorders.
Conclusions: The impact of lifting is context dependent. Occupational strain requires ergonomic intervention, while structured, voluntary strength training is safe and protective for maternal health.
References
1. Kuźniar A, Wąsiewicz E, Szawica D, Fularska K, Oleszko M. Exercise and pregnancy - review of literature and current recommendations. Journal of Education, Health and Sport. 2023;15(1):35–42. https://doi.org/10.12775/jehs.2023.15.01.004
2. Mielczarek M, Sroczyńska P, Kuderska N, Sroczyński J, Sado A, Wodniakowska J, Senior K. Physical activity in pregnant women: Literature review and educational recommendations. Journal of Education, Health and Sport. 2024;69:55388. https://doi.org/10.12775/jehs.2024.69.55388
3. van Beukering MD, van Melick MJ, Mol BW, Frings-Dresen MH, Hulshof CT. Physically demanding work and preterm delivery: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Int Arch Occup Environ Health. 2014;87(8):809-834. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-013-0924-3
4. Sejbaek CS, Frankel HN, Flachs EM, Hougaard KS, Mehlum IS, Toettenborg SS, Madsen IEH, Bonde JPE, Begtrup LM. Physical workload during pregnancy and adverse pregnancy outcomes: results from a Danish nationwide occupational register-based pregnancy cohort (DOC*X-Generation). Occup Environ Med. 2025;82(2):oemed-2024-109908. https://doi.org/10.1136/oemed-2024-109908
5. MacDonald LA, Johnson CY, Lu ML, Santiago-Colón A, Adam GP, Kimmel HJ, Napolitano PG, Saldanha IJ. Physical job demands in pregnancy and associated musculoskeletal health and employment outcomes: a systematic review. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2024;230(6):583-599.e16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2023.12.014
6. Barakat R, Refoyo I, Coteron J, Franco E. Exercise during pregnancy has a preventative effect on excessive maternal weight gain and gestational diabetes. Braz J Phys Ther. 2019;23(2):148–155. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjpt.2018.11.005
7. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Physical Activity and Exercise During Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period: ACOG Committee Opinion, Number 804. Obstet Gynecol. 2020;135(4):e178-e188. https://doi.org/10.1097/AOG.0000000000003772
8. Prevett C, Kimber ML, Forner L, de Vivo M, Davenport MH. Impact of heavy resistance training on pregnancy and postpartum health outcomes. International Urogynecology Journal. 2023;34(2):405–411. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-022-05393-1
9. Demel K, Kantor A, Król J, Bialic Ł, Dziedzic M, Polok S, Potoczek A, Talaska J, Godyń M, Zatłoka-Mazur
D. Strength training in pregnancy. Systematic review of benefits and risks. Qual Sport. 2025;38:58312. https://doi.org/10.12775/qs.2025.38.58312
10. Zhang, D., Nagpal, T. S., Silva-José, C., Sánchez-Polán, M., Gil-Ares, J., & Barakat, R. (2023). Influence of Physical Activity during Pregnancy on Birth Weight: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 12(16), 5421. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12165421
11. Davenport MH, Ruchat SM, Sobierajski F, Poitras VJ, Gray CE, Yoo C, et al. Impact of prenatal physical activity on maternal and neonatal outcomes: systematic review. Br J Sports Med. 2018. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30337465/
12. Krysińska A, Drzewiecka A, Drzewiecki A, Korczak W, Gaszyńska M, Madejska MA, et al. The role of physical activity during pregnancy and its impact on the course of labour and labor outcomes - a review of literature. Qual Sport. 2025;41:59997. https://apcz.umk.pl/QS/article/view/59997
13. Małek R, Warzyszak P, Milczek M, Żołyniak W, Tomasik M, Hawranik I, Krawiec P, Skrzypek M. Impact of physical activity in pregnant women on maternal health. Journal of Education, Health and Sport. 2023;13(1):319–325. https://doi.org/10.12775/jehs.2023.13.01.047
14. Magro‐Malosso ER, Saccone G, Di Tommaso M, Roman A, Berghella V. Exercise during pregnancy and risk of gestational hypertensive disorders: a systematic review and meta‐analysis. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2017;96(8):921–931. https://doi.org/10.1111/aogs.13151
15. Berghella V, Saccone G. Exercise in pregnancy! Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2017;216(4):335-337.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2017.01.023
16. Palmer KT, Bonzini M, Harris EC, Linaker C, Bonde JP. Work activities and risk of prematurity, low birth weight and pre-eclampsia: an updated review. Occup Environ Med. 2013;70(4):213-222. https://doi.org/10.1136/oemed-2012-101032
17. Sadowski J, Dołęga J, Zabawa B, Łabuś M, Krzykawski K, Papież Łukasz, et al. Physical Activity in Pregnancy: A Preventive Measure Against Postpartum Depression. Qual Sport. 2024;36:56364. https://apcz.umk.pl/QS/article/view/56364
18. Al Hassan R, Ali RR, Alsheikh MSK. The Effect of Physical Activity during Pregnancy on Childbirth. Open Access Maced J Med Sci. 2022;10:475–480. https://doi.org/10.3889/oamjms.2022.8175
19. Croteau A. Occupational lifting and adverse pregnancy outcome: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Occup Environ Med. 2020;77(7):496-505. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32184210/
20. Snijder CA, Brand T, Jaddoe V, et al. Physically demanding work, fetal growth and the risk of adverse birth outcomes. The Generation R Study. Occup Environ Med. 2012;69(8):543-550. https://doi.org/10.1136/oemed-2011-100615
21. Mocevic E, Svendsen SW, Jørgensen KT, Frost P, Bonde JP. Occupational lifting and risk of preterm birth: a systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One. 2014;9(3):e90550. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0090550
22. Grenier LN, Atkinson SA, Mottola MF, Wahoush O, Thabane L, Xie F, et al. Be Healthy in Pregnancy: Exploring factors that impact pregnant women's nutrition and exercise behaviours. Matern Child Nutr. 2021;17(1):e13068. https://doi.org/10.1111/mcn.13068
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Joanna Mioduszewska, Paweł Rot, Piotr Poniewozik, Natalia Dziuba, Aleksandra Sim, Maja Pernal, Zofia Roguska, Andrzej Paweł Zuzak, Paweł Poniewozik, Krzysztof Grabowski
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Stats
Number of views and downloads: 16
Number of citations: 0
