Physical Acvitiy in Pregnancy

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.

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Key information

Conditions

Pregnant Women Body Weight Diabetes Mellitus Diabetes, Gestational Endocrine System Diseases Female Urogenital Diseases and Pregnancy Complications Gestational Diabetes Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in Pregnancy Glucose Metabolism Disorders Metabolic Diseases Nutrition Disorders Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases Obese But Otherwise Healthy Participants Obesity Overnutrition Overweight Overweight (BMI > 25) Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Pregnancy Complications Pregnancy in Obesity Signs and Symptoms Urogenital Diseases

Age range

18 year–45 year

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Observational

Primary location

University of Maryland Medical System

Baltimore, Maryland, 21201, United States

About this study

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.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Pregnant female and their newborn infant(s)
Aged 18-45 (pregnant female), age 0-60 days of life (newborn infant)
English speaking
Screened for gestational diabetes with standard glucose tolerance test between 24w - 41w gestation
Delivered at gestational age 34week-41weeks
Delivered via non-emergent Cesarean section during weekday hours
No known infectious disease (ex: HIV, HepC)

Exclusion criteria

Women <18yo or >45yo
Non-English speaking
Pre-existing diabetes or diagnosed with diabetes prior to 24weeks
Required complex diets/supplements not related to the pregnancy (i.e. malnutrition)
Known severe fetal anomalies or genetic disorder
Placenta accreta spectrum
Emergent cesarean delivery performed due to fetal distress
Known infectious disease (ex: HIV, HepC)

Treatment and study plan

Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire (PPAQ)

Behavioral

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.

Primary outcomes

Placental mitochondrial function

Time frame: At delivery

Placental mitochondrial function will be assessed using markers of mitochondrial biogenesis and energy metabolism measured in placental tissue collected at delivery. Outcomes will be examined in relation to maternal physical activity levels during pregnancy.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Maryland, Baltimore

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Epigenetic Regulation of Physically Active Lifestyle on Placental Development

Important dates

Study start: 2023
Primary completion: 2026
Study completion: 2027
First posted: Jan 21, 2026
Registry last updated: Jan 21, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.

Completed