NCT07356180

Physical Acvitiy in Pregnancy

Epigenetic Regulation of Physically Active Lifestyle on Placental Development

• Status: Enrolling By Invitation
• Phase: —
• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 40 (estimated)
• Sponsor: University of Maryland, Baltimore · Academic / Other
• Sex: Female
• Age: 18 Years – 45 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The goal of this observational study is to learn how a physically active lifestyle during pregnancy affects placental development and function. The main question it aims to answer is: Does regular physical activity during pregnancy improve placental function and support healthy fetal growth? Pregnant participants will provide biological samples and health information during pregnancy and at delivery. The study will use these samples to examine how activity levels relate to placental energy production and overall health.

Detailed description

This observational study aims to examine how a physically active lifestyle during pregnancy affects placental function and fetal development. We will enroll pregnant participants and collect biological samples, including blood and placental tissue after delivery. The study will measure markers of placental energy production and other indicators of placental health to understand the mechanisms by which maternal physical activity may influence fetal growth. Data collected will also include health information, lifestyle questionnaires, and activity assessments during pregnancy. Participants will not need to change their normal exercise habits. The results of this study may help identify how maternal physical activity supports placental and fetal health, which could inform future recommendations for healthy pregnancies.

Conditions

• Pregnant Women
• Gestational Diabetes
• Obese But Otherwise Healthy Participants
• Overweight (BMI > 25)
• Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in Pregnancy

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire (PPAQ)	The PPAQ is a semiquantitative questionnaire that asks respondents to report the time spent participating in 32 activities including household/caregiving (13 activities),occupational (5 activities), sports/exercise (8 activities), transportation (3 activities), and inactivity (3 activities). For each activity, respondents are asked to select the category that best approximates the amount of time spent in that activity per day or week during the currenttrimester. Possible durations range from 0 to 6 or more hours per day and from 0 to 3 or more hours per week.

Timeline

• Start date: 2023-10-18
• Primary completion: 2026-12-01
• Completion: 2027-12-01
• First posted: 2026-01-21
• Last updated: 2026-01-21

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States