Newborn babies’ brain activity boosted if mother has exercised

Just 20 minutes of moderate exercise three times a week was enough to give infant brains a head start, the scientists found.

The benefit could have an impact on a child’s entire life, according to researchers attending the Neuroscience 2013 congress in San Diego, California.

Study leader Professor Dave Ellemberg, from the University of Montreal, said: “While animal studies have shown similar results, this is the first randomised controlled trial in humans to objectively measure the impact of exercise during pregnancy directly on the newborn’s brain.

“We hope these results will guide public health interventions and research on brain plasticity. Most of all, we are optimistic that this will encourage women to change their health habits, given that the simple act of exercising during pregnancy could make a difference for their child’s future.”

In the past, pregnant women would be advised to take it easy and rest. Now it is widely accepted that too much inactivity can be harmful both to mother and child.

Women taking part in the study were randomly assigned to an exercise or inactive sedentary group. Those in the exercise group had to undergo at least 20 minutes of moderate cardiovascular exercise three times a week while those in the sedentary group did no exercise at all.

Eight to 12 days after they were born, the women’s babies had the electrical activity of their brains measured. Each baby had a close- fitting “bathcap” of electrodes placed on its head.

“Our results show that the babies born from the mothers who were physically active have a more mature cerebral activation,” said Elise Labonte-LeMoyne, another member of the University of Montreal team.