[Medical Q&A] What is the most suitable exercise for preparing for pregnancy?

Planner: Chinese Medical Association

Reviewer: Shang Xuejun, Chief Physician, General Hospital of Eastern Theater Command of PLA

Aerobic exercise is currently recognized as the most suitable exercise for preparing for pregnancy. Since aerobic exercise drives the activities of organs throughout the body with sufficient oxygen exchange, it can increase blood circulation and metabolism, increase lung capacity and oxygen uptake, improve myocardial contractility, increase bone density, promote the decomposition of body fat, increase appetite, and increase disease and anti-aging capabilities. It can not only avoid sports injuries, but also regulate the body and lay a good foundation for the birth of a healthy baby. Therefore, it is very suitable for couples preparing for pregnancy, especially for couples who are busy with work and do not exercise enough. This type of exercise is very suitable and more acceptable.

The measure of aerobic exercise is the heart rate during exercise. A heart rate of 150 beats per minute is considered aerobic exercise, and the blood can provide sufficient oxygen to the heart. During aerobic exercise, since muscle contraction requires a lot of oxygen and nutrients, the number of heart contractions will increase, and the amount of blood output each time will also increase than usual. At the same time, the body's demand for oxygen will increase accordingly, the number of breaths will increase than usual, and the degree of expansion of the lungs will also increase. When the exercise lasts for a long time, the muscles are in a state of contraction for a long time, and the heart must work hard to provide oxygen to the muscles and take away the waste produced by the muscles. This continuous demand can improve cardiopulmonary endurance, thereby improving the body's blood supply, reducing the probability of heart disease, and comprehensively improving physical fitness. Therefore, for the future health of the baby, aerobic exercise is very necessary.