Researchers from Norway found that physical activity of mothers has a positive effect on lung function in their children. The scientists presented their findings at the congress of the European Respiratory Society.
Researchers from the University of Oslo analyzed data on the health of 814 children born to residents of the Norwegian capital and Stockholm. Scientists asked women 18-34 weeks of pregnancy to complete questionnaires about their health and lifestyle. Based on responses about how often and for how long they exercised, women were divided into very active, moderately active, and inactive. Lung function was then assessed in three-month-old children by measuring the speed and volume of inhaled and exhaled air.
Of the 47 children with the lowest lung function, 25 mothers did little physical activity. The average lung function in children of active mothers was also higher. Early research has shown that children with low lung function are more likely to develop asthma by the age of ten. At the same time, the researchers plan to track measurements of the dynamics of lung function in children with age and its effect on the development of respiratory diseases.
