How to HIIT while pregnant? The protocol characteristics and effects of high intensity interval training implemented during pregnancy – A systematic review

Authors

Anna Szumilewicz, Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, Gdansk, PolandFollow
Rita Santos-Rocha, Polytechnic Institute of Santarém, Sport Sciences School of Rio Maior (ESDRM), PortugalFollow
Aneta Worska, Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, Gdansk, PolandFollow
Magdalena Piernicka, Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, Gdansk, PolandFollow
Hongli Yu, Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, Gdansk, PolandFollow
Simona Pajaujiene, Lithuanian Sports University, Department of Coaching Science, Kaunas, LithuaniaFollow
Najmeh-Alsadat Shojaeian, Islamic Azad University of Bojnourd, IranFollow
Miguel Angel Moviedo-Caro, University of Seville, Department of Physical Education and Sport, Seville, SpainFollow

Abstract

There is strong scientific evidence that prenatal physical activity of moderate-to-high in-tensity is a prerequisite of the proper course of pregnancy, childbirth and fetus development. How-ever, to date little data have been available on high intensity interval training (HIIT) performed during pregnancy. Following the PRISMA guidelines, this systematic review aimed at: first, to characterize HIIT protocols used or planned to be implemented during pregnancy; second, to determine their training effects on participant’s health and obstetric outcomes. We included nine original works and three clinical trials in the analysis. The HIIT protocols substantially differed in terms of the training components (type, intensity, frequency, duration and progression) and the structure of intervals (intensity and time of workout and recovery intervals). Our most important finding is that performing HIIT during pregnancy is safe in terms of obstetric outcomes and well tolerated by pregnant participants, while providing them with the enjoyment of exercise. HIIT interventions either led to an improvement in selected maternal and fetal health parameters or had no impact. No adverse effects were observed. Pregnant women may benefit from HIIT programs in the same way as other populations. Evidence-based recommendations on prenatal HIIT should be developed and promoted worldwide among pregnant women, exercise and health professionals.

Recommended Citation

Szumilewicz A, Santos-Rocha R, Worska A, Piernicka M, Yu H, Pajaujiene S, et al. How to HIIT while pregnant? The protocol characteristics and effects of high intensity interval training implemented during preg-nancy – A systematic review. Balt J Health Phys Act. 2022;14(1)1-16. https://doi.org/10.29359/BJHPA.14.1.01

Author ORCID Identifier

Anna Szumilewicz ORCID 0000-0003-3777-5697

Rita Santos-Rocha ORCID 0000-0001-7188-8383

Aneta Worska ORCID 0000-0003-1624-5267

Magdalena Piernicka ORCID 0000-0003-3780-4013

Hongli Yu ORCID 0000-0001-8364-2081

Simona Pajaujiene ORCID 0000-0001-5306-4188

Najmeh-Alsadat Shojaeian ORCID 0000-0002-4089-6206

Miguel Angel Oviedo Caro ORCID 0000-0003-1032-0529

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.