Clinical trial to assess the effect of aerobic physical exercise on exercise tolerance and depressive symptoms in Colombian nulliparous pregnant women

Introduction: Depression in pregnancy affects almost 60% of pregnant women and several studies have shown that aerobic exercise can reduce depressive symptoms by increasing physical capacity. However, this effect has not been determined in pregnancy. Objective: To evaluate the influence of aerobic training on exercise tolerance and depressive symptoms in Colombian nulliparous pregnant women. Materiales and methods: We carried out a simple controlled trial in 80 nulliparous pregnant women, between 16 and 20 weeks of pregnancy, randomized to two groups. 1) The control group continued their usual activities, with no specific exercise regime. 2) The intervention group performed aerobic training between 50% and 65% of their maximal heart rate for 50. minutes, three times a week for 12 weeks. Exercise tolerance was assessed using the 6-minute walk test and symptoms of depression were assessed by the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) at baseline and immediately after the 3-month intervention. Results: The mean age was 21 ± 3 years and gestational age was 18 ± 2 weeks. Seventy-four women completed the study. After the intervention, participants who exercised had a higher exercise tolerance, measured by the 6-minute walk test, and a greater reduction in depressive symptoms than the control group, as measured by the CES-D scale, P