Physical Activity During Pregnancy and Its Effects on Maternal Physical and Mental Health: A Narrative Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12775/QS.2026.77.76470Keywords
pregnancy, physical exercise, physical activity, vaginal birth, caesarean section, gestational diabetes, postpartum depressionAbstract
Background. Physical activity adapted to pregnancy can provide important physical and psychological benefits while supporting maternal health.
Aim. To summarize the physiological changes that occur during pregnancy, describe beneficial and safe forms of physical exercise, and discuss their effects on maternal physical and mental health and selected pregnancy and postpartum outcomes.
Material and methods. A structured narrative review was conducted using PubMed. Publications from 2021 to 2026 were prioritized, while older studies were retained when directly relevant to the mechanisms or clinical questions addressed. The source manuscript included 38 publications covering original studies, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, clinical guidelines, consensus documents, and selected relevant reports.
Results. The reviewed evidence indicates that appropriately prescribed exercise during pregnancy is associated with a lower risk of gestational diabetes and hypertensive disorders, lower total gestational weight gain, a lower risk of caesarean section, and potentially shorter labour. Physical activity also supports postpartum recovery and may improve maternal psychological well-being and reduce depressive symptoms. Exercise should nevertheless be adapted to the physiological changes and clinical status of each pregnancy.
Conclusions. Regular, appropriately modified physical activity is beneficial for women with uncomplicated pregnancies and is associated with substantial maternal health benefits and little evidence of harm when appropriately prescribed.
References
1. Adesegun, D., Cai, C., Sivak, A., Chari, R., & Davenport, M. H. (2019). Prenatal exercise and pre-gestational diseases: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada, 41(8), 1134–1143.e17. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jogc.2018.10.007
2. Andargie, B. A., Legas, A., W/Sellassie, A., Abuhay, H., & Angaw, D. A. (2025). Effects of physical exercise during pregnancy on delivery outcomes: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. PLoS ONE, 20(7), e0326868. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0326868
3. Aziz ur Rehman, A., & Tan, J. (2026). Editorial: Impact of physical activity on women's health and quality of life: Focusing on maternal health and pregnancy outcomes. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 8, 1787490. https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2026.1787490
4. Barakat, R., Perales, M., Garatachea, N., Ruiz, J. R., & Lucia, A. (2015). Exercise during pregnancy: A narrative review asking: What do we know? British Journal of Sports Medicine, 49(21), 1377–1381. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2015-094756
5. Beyazıt, A., Hakverdi, A. U., & Gözükara, K. H. (2023). The effect of pregnancy on urinary symptoms. Cureus, 15(8), e44232. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.44232
6. Bull, F. C., Al-Ansari, S. S., Biddle, S., et al. (2020). World Health Organization 2020 guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 54(24), 1451–1462. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2020-102955
7. Dong, J., Chi, J., & Lei, E. F.-C. (2026). Effects of prenatal exercise on prenatal and postpartum depression and anxiety symptoms: A systematic review and network meta-analysis. Journal of Affective Disorders, 393(Pt B), 120438. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2025.120438
8. Ekelöf, K., Almquist Tangen, G., Delisle Nyström, C., et al. (2025). Mental wellbeing during pregnancy and the transition to motherhood: An explorative study through the lens of healthcare professionals. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 25(1), 803. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-025-07894-5
9. Ejikeme, C., Nandakumar, V., & Gotur, D. B. (2025). Respiratory physiological changes in pregnancy. Respiratory Medicine, 246, 108245. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rmed.2025.108245
10. Fiat, F., Merghes, P. E., Scurtu, A. D., et al. (2022). The main changes in pregnancy—therapeutic approach to musculoskeletal pain. Medicina, 58(8), 1115. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina58081115
11. FitzGerald, M. P., & Graziano, S. (2007). Urinary frequency. Urologic Clinics of North America, 34(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ucl.2006.10.003
12. Genest, D. S., Falcao, S., Gutkowska, J., & Lavoie, J. L. (2012). Impact of exercise training on preeclampsia: Potential preventive mechanisms. Hypertension, 60(5), 1104–1109. https://doi.org/10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.112.194050
13. Hicks, L. E., Graf, M. D., & Yeo, S. (2025). Prenatal exercise and its effects on postpartum mental health: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Archives of Women's Mental Health, 28(3), 515–524. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-024-01525-2
14. Ireland, M. L., & Ott, S. M. (2000). The effects of pregnancy on the musculoskeletal system. Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research, 372, 169–179. https://doi.org/10.1097/00003086-200003000-00019
15. Kolomanska-Bogucka, A., & Mazur-Bialy, A. (2019a). Physical activity and the occurrence of postnatal depression—A systematic review. Medicina, 55(9), 560. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina5509560
16. Kołomańska, D., Zarawski, M., & Mazur-Bialy, A. (2019b). Physical activity and depressive disorders in pregnant women—A systematic review. Medicina, 55(5), 212. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina55050212
17. Majewska, P., & Szablewska, A. (2025). Associations between physical activity in pregnancy and maternal, perinatal, and neonatal parameters: A single-center prospective cohort study. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 14(7), 2325. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14072325
18. McNestry, C., Killeen, S. L., Crowley, R. K., & McAuliffe, F. M. (2023). Pregnancy complications and later life women's health. Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica, 102(5), 523–531. https://doi.org/10.1111/aogs.14523
19. Minami, R., Kobayashi, K., Miyatake, M., et al. (2025). Urinary function changes during pregnancy assessed by frequency volume charts in a prospective longitudinal study. Scientific Reports, 15, 24710. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-10128-5
20. Miranda, L. A., Moura, A. C. R., Kasawara, K. T., Surita, F. G., Moreira, M. A., & Nascimento, S. L. (2022). Exercise and physical activity levels and associated factors among high-risk pregnant women. Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia, 44(4), 360–368. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0042-1743099
21. Moore, M. L., Ford, J. L., Schladweiler, M. C., et al. (2024). Gut metabolic changes during pregnancy reveal the importance of gastrointestinal region in sample collection. Metabolomics, 20(2), 40. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11306-024-02099-x
22. Overduin, T. S., Page, A. J., Young, R. L., & Gatford, K. L. (2025). Adaptations in gastrointestinal nutrient absorption and its determinants during pregnancy in monogastric mammals: A scoping review. Nutrition Reviews, 83(3), e1172–e1196. https://doi.org/10.1093/nutrit/nuae064
23. Price, B. B., Amini, S. B., & Kappeler, K. (2012). Exercise in pregnancy: Effect on fitness and obstetric outcomes—A randomized trial. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 44(12), 2263–2269. https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0b013e318267ad67
24. Raj, S. R. (2006). The postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS): Pathophysiology, diagnosis & management. Indian Pacing and Electrophysiology Journal, 6(2), 84–99.
25. Rodrigues-Denize, N., Zolnikov, T. R., & Furio, F. (2024). A systematic review on the physical, mental, and occupational effects of exercise on pregnant women. Dialogues in Health, 4, 100181. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dialog.2024.100181
26. Shen, M., & Tan, H. (2017). Trajectory of blood pressure change during pregnancy and the role of pre-gravid blood pressure: A functional data analysis approach. Scientific Reports, 7, 6227. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-06606-0
27. Strain, T., Flaxman, S., Guthold, R., et al. (2024). National, regional, and global trends in insufficient physical activity among adults from 2000 to 2022: A pooled analysis of 507 population-based surveys with 5.7 million participants. The Lancet Global Health, 12(8), e1232–e1243. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(24)00150-5
28. Taliento, C., Piccolotti, I., Sabattini, A., Tormen, M., Greco, P., & Scutiero, G. (2024). Effect of physical activity during pregnancy on the risk of hypertension disorders and gestational diabetes: Evidence generated by new RCTs and systematic reviews. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 13(8), 2198. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13082198
29. Veisy, A., Mohammad Alizadeh Charandabi, S., Hematzadeh, S., & Mirghafourvand, M. (2021). Effect of prenatal aerobic exercises on maternal and neonatal outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Nursing Open, 8(5), 2301–2317. https://doi.org/10.1002/nop2.838
30. Von Aarburg, N., Veit-Rubin, N., Boulvain, M., Bertuit, J., Simonson, C., & Desseauve, D. (2021). Physical activity and urinary incontinence during pregnancy and postpartum: A systematic review and meta-analysis. European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, 267, 262–268. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejogrb.2021.11.005
31. World Health Organization. (2010). Global recommendations on physical activity for health. World Health Organization.
32. World Health Organization. (2020). Guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour. World Health Organization.
33. Xiang, Z., Liu, Y., Wang, R., & Chow, K. M. (2026). Effects of prenatal exercise interventions on physical activity, sedentary behaviour, maternal health, and pregnancy outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 181, 105580. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2026.105580
34. Yang, X., Li, H., Zhao, Q., Han, R., Xiang, Z., & Gao, L. (2022). Clinical practice guidelines that address physical activity and exercise during pregnancy: A systematic review. Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health, 67(1), 53–68. https://doi.org/10.1111/jmwh.13286
35. Yang, X. J., & Sun, S. S. (2017). Comparison of maternal and fetal complications in elective and emergency cesarean section: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics, 296(3), 503–512. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-017-4445-2
36. Yang, Y., Lewey, J., & Arany, Z. (2026). Cardiovascular complications of pregnancy. Journal of Clinical Investigation, 136(1), e198808. https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI198808
37. Yalçınkaya, B., Sezgin, E. A., & Saçıntı, K. G. (2025). Neuromusculoskeletal disorders in pregnancy revisited: Insights and clinical implications. Journal of Dr. Science, 36(3), 741–750. https://doi.org/10.52312/jdrs.2025.2242
38. van Poppel, M. N. M., Kruse, A., & Carter, A. M. (2024). Maternal physical activity in healthy pregnancy: Effect on fetal oxygen supply. Acta Physiologica, 240(11), e14229. https://doi.org/10.1111/apha.14229
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Anna Banaś, Alicja Czajka, Jan Ciesielczyk, Dawid Czarnacki, Angelika Cięszczyk, Magdalena Młynarczyk, Jan Caruk, Iga Śliczniak, Paweł Szkup, Kvitoslava Lukovych
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Stats
Number of views and downloads: 10
Number of citations: 0
