A large cohort study from Japan has found that physical activity before and during pregnancy may be linked to improved neurodevelopmental outcomes in young children, particularly in motor skills during infancy.
The study, titled “Physical Activity Before and During Pregnancy and Neurodevelopment in Early Childhood,” analyzed data from 38,219 mother-child pairs and found that higher maternal exercise levels were associated with more favorable developmental outcomes.
The researchers wrote: “Maternal physical activity before and during pregnancy was associated with neurodevelopmental outcomes in late infancy. Moreover, higher levels of maternal exercise were associated with more favorable neurodevelopmental outcomes.”
They added that the findings “suggest that maternal physical activity before and during pregnancy may be associated with optimized early neurodevelopment in offspring, particularly regarding motor function, highlighting the potential benefits of prenatal exercise beyond maternal health.”
Large nationwide cohort study
The research used data from the Japan Environment and Children’s Study, described as “a nationwide birth cohort funded by the Ministry of the Environment in Japan.”
Mother-child pairs were enrolled between 2011 and 2014 and children were followed from birth until age three. The paper notes: “Of 104,062 records, 65,843 were excluded due to missing data or guideline-based criteria, resulting in 38,219 mother-child pairs included in the analysis.”
Researchers assessed maternal exercise using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and child development using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire.
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Motor development showed the strongest link
The study found the strongest associations between maternal exercise and early motor development.
According to the findings: “Higher prepregnancy activity was associated with significantly higher odds for each ASQ-3 domain at 6 months of age and higher midpregnancy activity with high odds for the gross motor… fine motor… and problem solving domains.”
The authors concluded: “In this cohort study of mother-child pairs, maternal physical activity before and during pregnancy was associated with child neurodevelopment, particularly for motor function between 6 months and 1 year of age.”
However, the association appeared to weaken as children grew older.
The researchers noted: “Higher prepregnancy activity was associated with higher odds for the problem-solving domain… at 3 years of age; there was no association with any other domain.”
Possible biological explanations
The study also discussed possible biological mechanisms behind the findings, while noting that the exact causes remain unclear.
The authors wrote: “The factors that affect the children’s neurodevelopmental behavior remain unclear.” They suggested that exercise may help through several pathways, stating: “Moderate aerobic exercise during pregnancy may promote child neurodevelopment by reducing maternal inflammatory cytokines and stimulating fetal sensory systems.”
They also noted: “Brain-derived neurotrophic factor, known to promote brain development and neurogenesis, is also a potential candidate.”
Another possible explanation relates to improved blood circulation during pregnancy.
The study states: “Physical activity during pregnancy helps reduce vascular resistance, which in turn increases blood flow through the umbilical cord connecting the mother and fetus. Consequently, the fetus receives an adequate supply of blood, supporting its growth and development.”
Environmental factors are also important
Researchers emphasized that child development is influenced by many factors beyond prenatal exercise.
The paper states: “Child neurodevelopment is multifactorial.”
It adds that the influence of maternal exercise may decline as environmental influences increase: “This prenatal influence may diminish with age as environmental factors… become more dominant.”
These include “family income, parental educational levels, media exposure, and sleep duration.”
Exercise is recommended only without complications
The study also cautioned that exercise recommendations apply only to pregnancies without complications.
The authors wrote: “Generally, exercise during pregnancy is only recommended for women with no complications.” They added: “Maternal rest is crucial in the presence of risk factors for preterm birth, such as cervical insufficiency or a shortened cervix.”
Need for further research
While the study found associations, researchers emphasized the need for further investigation. They concluded: “Further investigations are required to find the physiological mechanisms explaining how maternal physical activity affects child neurodevelopment.”
This story is done in collaboration with First Check, which is the health journalism vertical of DataLEADS