Grant: CIHR Fellowship

Physical activity is one of the best ways to improve health, live longer and promote overall wellbeing. Pregnant people who stay physically active are less likely to develop certain health issues during pregnancy, like gestational diabetes or high blood pressure. Even though these problems might go away after pregnancy, they can increase the risk of poor health for the child later in life. Despite the clear benefits, we still don't fully understand how exercise during pregnancy affects these outcomes. The gut microbiome, which includes all the tiny microorganisms living in our intestines, plays a big role in managing body weight and metabolism. These microbes produce certain substances, known as metabolites, that affect our health. When the gut microbiome is disrupted, it can contribute to pregnancy-related health problems, but we don't know much about how physical activity during pregnancy influences the gut microbiome. This study will investigate how the gut microbiome of physically active and inactive pregnant people differs at three points during pregnancy (i.e., early, mid and late), and what the gut microbiome of their babies looks like when they are one week old. In addition to gut bacteria, we will collect data on health and body measurements to get a full picture of the impact of exercise during pregnancy. The findings could help develop new treatments based on gut health to optimize overall health in future generations. Understanding how physical activity affects the gut microbiome during pregnancy could provide a simple and non-invasive way to reduce the risk of long-term health issues for both parents and children.