THE HEMODYNAMIC-EFFECTS OF ISOMETRIC-EXERCISE DURING LATE NORMAL-PREGNANCY

OBJECTIVE: Our study was designed to evaluate the hemodynamic effects of isometric exercise in late normal pregnancy. STUDY DESIGN: Study su bjects were 1 0 healthy pregnant volunteers with uncomplicated singlet on gestations between 25 and 36 weeks. Doppler methods were used to de rive cardiac output, total peripheral resistance, and stroke volume be fore, during, and after a defined protocol of lower extremity isometri c exercise. Hemodynamics and blood pressure were evaluated and compare d. RESULTS: Mean arterial blood pressure and total peripheral resistan ce increased during the performance of isometric effort (mean blood pr essure SD was 78.9 +/- 7.3 to 97.5 +/- 8.6 mm Hg; total peripheral res istance +/- SD was 924 +/- 148 to 1153 +/- 18.3 dyne . sec . cm-5; p < 0.002 and p < 0.001, respectively). Cardiac output remained unchanged throughout the study period. CONCLUSION: In advanced normal pregnancy isometric exercise increases the mean arterial blood pressure by rais ing the total peripheral resistance.