One of the recommendations about physical activity during pregnancy is that you avoid exercising on hot days to avoid possible dehydration, as well as not taking hot baths or saunas, since it is believed that the temperature increase could affect the baby.
However, a new study could change them, and ensures that, Following certain precautions, it is safe to exercise with heat and use saunas during pregnancy.
Posted in British Journal of Sports Medicine, the results of this new study They contradict the recommendation to avoid the use of saunas and exercise on hot days during pregnancy, because there was concern that these would drastically increase body temperature, and could harm the baby.
The objective of the study was to analyze and measure changes in body temperature of pregnant women, since because these recommendations were not clear about limits or quantity, some could be discouraged and avoid exercising, when it is something that has many benefits and will help to arrive in better form to the delivery.
Analyzing 12 studies, it was how the researchers came to this conclusion. Total, 347 women's body temperature response to thermal stress was reviewed, caused by exercising or undergoing passive heating through saunas or hot baths.
These studies included women at different stages of pregnancy and body temperature response was measured based on the intensity and duration of the exercise, as well as the ambient temperature and humidity.
In all of them, none of the pregnant women exceeded 39 ° Celsius, which is the limit of body temperature that should be taken during pregnancy, and the highest temperature reported was 38.9 °. On average, the highest temperature reported in the ground exercises was 38.3 °, for water exercises it was 37.5 °, for hot baths it was 36.9 ° and for exposure in saunas it was 37.6 °.
Now, this does not mean that this is why they should be trusted, but that it is possible to perform these activities with peace of mind, as long as certain directions are followed. According to the results of this study, the recommended times and temperatures for each are the following:
- Until 35 minutes of intense aerobic exercise (with a maximum of 80-90% of the heart rate) in temperatures of up to 25 ° and a relative humidity of 45%.
- Until 45 minutes of water exercises in temperatures from 28.8 ° to 33.4 °.
- Until 20 minutes in hot baths (40 °) or saunas (70 ° and with 15% relative humidity).
All these times they are considered safe at any stage of pregnancy and without running the risk that the body temperature rises more than 39 °.
In addition, when conducting this research, some of the studies analyzed showed that as the pregnancy progressed, there was a reduction in body temperature, which reinforced some theories about the increase in the ability to autoregulate the temperature during pregnancy.
In general, these results indicate that it is possible to exercise safely during pregnancy, without worrying about dangerously increasing body temperature, and of course, staying hydrated. Remember Always check with your doctor before doing any physical activity during your pregnancy, because every woman is different and has unique needs and conditions.
