Grant: DRA : Canada Graduate Research Scholarship - Doctoral Program (CGRS D)

Many pregnant individuals notice changes in memory, focus, and decision-making-a common experience often called "pregnancy brain." While these symptoms are widely recognized, their impact on long-term brain health is not well understood, and few strategies exist to support mental clarity during pregnancy. Physical activity(PA) is known to benefit brain function in other groups, but its effect on the brain during pregnancy has not yet been studied in detail. This project aims to understand how different PA patterns influence thinking skills during pregnancy. It includes three parts. First, we will review all existing studies on PA and cognitive function in pregnancy. Second, we will follow a group of women from before pregnancy through to the third trimester. At each stage, we will measure PA using wearable devices, assess blood flow in the brain using ultrasound, and use computer tasks to test memory, attention, and flexible thinking. We will also collect hormone and cardiovascular data to explore potential physiological pathways. In the final study, we will test whether short exercise breaks during long periods of sitting can improve thinking in late pregnancy. Participants will complete two lab visits: one with uninterrupted sitting, and one with light activity breaks. We will compare their performance on cognitive tasks before and after each session. Our results will help create more complete PA guidelines that consider not only physical health but also brain health. This may help pregnant individuals feel more mentally clear and confident during a critical life stage, and support healthy brain development for both mothers and their children.