The influence of physical activity in water on sleep quality in pregnant women: A randomised trial.

INTRODUCTION: Sleep is a physiological state of self-regulation. The international classification of sleep disorders now includes as a new category those occurring during pregnancy. Regular physical activity is known to improve the quality of life, one aspect of which is sleep quality. During pregnancy, physical activity is decreased but should not be eliminated, as studies have reported a high correlation between sleep disorders and the absence of physical activity. Regular physical exercise during pregnancy, whether performed in water or out of it, provides greater control of gestational weight gain. Furthermore, the reduced weight gain during pregnancy, as a result of physical exercise, is associated with greater physical resistance to the demands of childbirth, combats the fatigue caused by pregnancy and reduces back pain. All of these outcomes tend to enhance sleep quality, among other beneficial effects. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether, in pregnant women, there is an association between moderate-intensity physical activity in an aquatic environment and sleep quality. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A randomised clinical trial was conducted with a sample of 140 pregnant women aged 21-43 years, divided into two groups; Intervention Group and Control Group. The women were recruited in the twelfth week of gestation and took part in the [Study of] Water Exercise in Pregnancy programme from week 20 to week 37. Sleep quality was evaluated in the first and third trimesters of pregnancy, using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index questionnaire. RESULTS: The Mann-Whitney U test showed that the results obtained were statistically significant (p<0.05). In the Intervention Group, 44 of the women (65.67%) were classified as "poor sleepers" versus 62 women (92.54%) in the Control Group. CONCLUSIONS: The [Study of] Water Exercise in Pregnancy method improves the quality of sleep in pregnant women, both subjectively and in terms of latency, duration and efficiency.

[Physical activity by pregnant women and its influence on maternal and foetal parameters; a systematic review]. / Actividad física en embarazadas y su influencia en parámetros materno-fetales; revisión sistemática.

INTRODUCTION: Regular physical activity is known to be very beneficial to health. While it is important at all stages of life, during pregnancy doubts may arise about the suitability of physical exercise, as well as the type of activity, its frequency, intensity and duration. AIMS: To analyse major studies on the influence of physical activity on maternal and foetal parameters. METHOD: Systematic review of physical activity programmes for pregnant women and the results achieved, during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum. 45 items were identified through an automated database search in PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar, carried out from October 2013 to March 2014. In selecting the items, the criteria applied included the usefulness and relevance of the subject matter and the credibility or experience of the research study authors. The internal and external validity of each of the articles reviewed was taken into account. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the review highlight the importance of physical activity during pregnancy, and show that the information currently available can serve as an initial benchmark for further investigation into the impact of regular physical exercise, in an aquatic environment, on maternal-foetal health.

Introducción: Las múltiples ventajas que aporta a la salud la práctica de una actividad física de forma continuada son conocidas. Aunque es importante en todas las etapas de la vida, cuando llega la gestación aparecen algunas dudas sobre la conveniencia de realizar ejercicio físico, así como del tipo de actividad, de su frecuencia, intensidad y duración. Objetivo: Analizar los principales estudios sobre la influencia de la actividad física sobre los parámetros materno- fetales. Método: Revisión sistemática de programas de actividad física destinados a las mujeres embarazadas y sus resultados durante el embarazo, el parto y el postparto. Se identificaron 45 artículos a través de la búsqueda automatizada en las bases de datos PUBMED, Scopus y Google Scholar; se llevó a cabo entre los meses de octubre de 2013 y marzo de 2014. Para seleccionar los artículos fue preciso considerar la utilidad y la relevancia del tema estudiado y la credibilidad o experiencia de los autores en la temática. Se tuvo en cuenta la validez interna y externa de cada uno de los artículos revisados. Conclusiones: Los resultados de la revisión ponen de manifiesto la importancia de la actividad física durante el periodo gestacional y se constata que la información disponible en la actualidad puede servir de referente inicial para continuar profundizando en los resultados que sobre la salud materno fetal tiene la práctica de actividad física en el medio acuático.

[Accelerometer description as a method to assess physical activity in different periods of life; systematic review]. / Descripción del acelerómetro como método para valorar la actividad física en los diferentes periodos de la vida; revisión sistemática.

INTRODUCTION: The accelerometer is shown as one of the most accurate techniques in recording and saving the amount and level of physical activity, by each person in a given period of time. AIMS: This review aims to describe and analyze the main items that use this method to assess physical activity. METHODS: The review articles were identified through the following specialized Internet browser: SCOPUS, PUBMED, GOOGLE SCHOLAR, those were selected for inclusion with a total of 56 items. The validity of the articles was given by the degree of evidence demonstrated by describing the recommendations and the applicability to our context. This review has considered studies evaluating physical activity through accelerometers. RESULTS: The results show that this method can be used in ages 3 to 90 years. It can also be used in subjects with overweight/obesity, articulation injuries, Down syndrome (just children), autism and people with psychological problems. Studies in pregnant women show satisfactory results. CONCLUSION: The literature reviewed provides the accelerometer as a reliable and effective method to assess physical activity.

Introducción: La acelerometría, se muestra como una de las técnicas más fiables, en el registro y almacenamiento de la cantidad y el nivel de actividad física, realizada por cada persona y en un periodo de tiempo determinado. Objetivo: Esta revisión tiene como objetivo describir y analizar los principales artículos que utilizan este método para valorar la actividad física. Método: Los artículos seleccionados para ser incluidos en esta revisión se identificaron a través de los siguientes motores de búsqueda especializados: SCOPUS, PUBMED, GOOGLE SCHOLAR; con un total de 56 artículos. La validez de los artículos estuvo dada por el grado de evidencias demostrado, por las recomendaciones que describen y por la aplicabilidad a nuestro contexto. Esta revisión ha considerado los estudios que evalúan la actividad física a través de acelerómetros. Resultados: Los resultados demuestran que este método se puede utilizar en edades comprendidas entre 3 y 90 años. También se puede utilizar en personas con sobrepeso/ obesidad, con lesiones articulares, niños con síndrome de Down, autistas, así como personas con problemas psicológicos. Los estudios en mujeres embarazadas muestran datos fiables. Conclusión: La literatura analizada establece la acelerometría como un método eficaz para valorar la actividad física.