The brainchild of exercise

The brainchild of exercise


Exercising while pregnant has been linked to myriad health benefits for both mother and child — shorter labor, better sleep, less achiness and reduced stress. Studies even suggest that children of active mothers have better cardiovascular health and lower rates of obesity than those of sedentary mothers.

But a new study shows that the benefits don’t stop there; moderate exercise could also be a matter of … well, gray matter. Researchers observed two groups of expectant mothers: a group that didn’t exercise during pregnancy, and a group that participated in moderate workouts. The second group usually walked, swam, jogged or cycled for as little as 20 minutes three times a week.

Shortly after being born, their babies were assessed for brain activity. The newborns were lulled to sleep while electrodes measured the electrical activity taking place in their brains. The researchers then played a loop of sounds — some familiar, some startling — and observed the babies’ brain reactions.

Before babies are able to discriminate among sounds, their immature brains respond with a spike of activity. The spike decreases as his or her brain develops, usually disappearing by 4 months of age. Among the children of exercising mothers, this spike was less pronounced — thus their brain development was further along.

One theory as to why exercising during pregnancy speeds up a baby’s brain development is that mothers-to-be release chemicals when walking or jogging. These chemicals, some of which are related to brain health, reach their developing babies in the womb.

When they turn 1, the children in the study will be tested on language development and cognitive skills to see if gestational exercise has further implications. In the meantime, although exercise has benefits for baby, pregnant women should speak with their doctors before beginning a new work-out routine.

 

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