Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40230063›Full record

SynthesisActa obstetricia et gynecologica Scandinavica2025

Effects of strength training on quality of life in pregnant women: A systematic review.

Paula Redondo-Delgado, Paula Blanco-Giménez, Susana López-Ortiz, Celia García-Chico, Juan Vicente-Mampel, Sergio Maroto-Izquierdo

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Acta obstetricia et gynecologica Scandinavica, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Article
  3. Article
  4. Rethinking Prenatal and Postpartum Exercise.Delaware journal of public health · 2025
    Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Paula Redondo-Delgadoi+HeALTH, Strategic Research Group, Department of Health Sciences, Miguel de Cervantes European University (UEMC), Valladolid, Spain.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0007-5855-9762
Paula Blanco-GiménezDepartment of Physiotherapy, Medicine and Health Science School, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Catholic University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain.
Susana López-Ortizi+HeALTH, Strategic Research Group, Department of Health Sciences, Miguel de Cervantes European University (UEMC), Valladolid, Spain.
Celia García-Chicoi+HeALTH, Strategic Research Group, Department of Health Sciences, Miguel de Cervantes European University (UEMC), Valladolid, Spain.
Juan Vicente-MampelDepartment of Physiotherapy, Medicine and Health Science School, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Catholic University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain.
Sergio Maroto-Izquierdoi+HeALTH, Strategic Research Group, Department of Health Sciences, Miguel de Cervantes European University (UEMC), Valladolid, Spain.

Funding

Miguel de Cervantes European University i+HeALTH fundingsMinistry of Education of Spain 24CO1/001933Universidad Católica de Valencia San Vicente Màrtir
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionPhysical activity is known to improve physical and psychological outcomes in pregnant women. While aerobic exercise is typically emphasized in physical activity guidelines for pregnant women, emerging research suggests that strength training may offer unique benefits beyond those provided by aerobic exercise alone. This systematic review aimed to systematically explore the effects and characteristics of strength training interventions on the health-related quality of life of pregnant women, with the goal of informing more comprehensive and specific exercise guidelines. MATERIAL AND

methodsA systematic literature search was conducted across PubMed, Web of Science, and EBSCO Host databases without time restrictions, following PRISMA guidelines (PROSPERO ID: CRD42024511477). Nine randomized controlled trials met the inclusion criteria, involving a total of 1581 participants.

resultsThe studies reviewed demonstrated that strength training during pregnancy can mitigate excessive weight gain, alleviate low back and sciatic pain, enhance mood, and improve various aspects of health-related quality of life. These aspects include physical activity levels, muscular strength, flexibility, sleep quality, energy expenditure, and psychological well-being.

conclusionsDespite these promising findings, this review highlights the need for standardized methodologies and detailed reporting in future research. Incorporating strength training into general exercise recommendations for pregnant women has the potential to optimize maternal health outcomes such as muscle strength, weight gain, physical activity levels, low back pain, pelvic pain, fatigue, anxiety, energy levels, vitality, sleep duration, and health status.

Indexed as

Pregnant PeopleQuality of LifeResistance TrainingExerciseFemaleHumansMuscle StrengthPregnancyaerobic exerciseexercise guidelinesphysical activitypregnant womenquality of liferesistance training

Identifiers

PMID40230063
PMCPMC12144601

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.