International Journal of Medical and All Body Health Research  |  e-ISSN: 2582-8940  |  Double-Blind Peer Review  |  Open Access  |  CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

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     2026:7/4

International Journal of Medical and All Body Health Research

e-ISSN: 2582-8940 | Open Access

The Impact of Physical Activity During Normal-Risk Pregnancy on Labor and Delivery Outcomes: The Role of Family and Community Medicine in Prenatal Care – An Integrative Review

Juliana Fontes Beltran Paschoal, Raquel Perez Carvalho, Joao Victor Lopes Culpo, Ana Mirele da Silva Lima, Camilly de Miranda Noronha Silva Araujo, Isabelle Pinheiro Santos, Marcella Emerenciano Santos, Caio Vinicius de Sá Bertozzi, Lucas de Souza Vieira, Vitor Oliveira Lima, Camila Santos da Costa, Thamara Vitória Pereira, Marina Zorzi Emigliozzi, Filipe Jabur L Garcia, Bruno E Silva Dorna, Délio T Martins Malaquias, Thiago Augusto Rochetti Bezerra, Juliana Medeiros lima, Maria Fernanda Lemos, Ana Lucia de Lima, Rubens Rodrigues Tudela, Maria Beatriz Mendonça Ventura, Fernanda Gomes Picciani

Medical student. University of Ribeirão Preto. Guarujá. São Paulo, Brazil PhD in Biotechnology from the University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Medical student. University of Ribeirão Preto. Guarujá. São Paulo, Brazil; Graduated in Medicine from Centro Universitário Lusíada. Medical Residency in Gynecology and Obstetrics at Hospital Municipal de Cubatão, São Paulo, Brazil; Graduated in Medicine from the Pernambuco School of Health. Residency in Gynecology and Obstetrics at Jorge Rossmann Regional Hospital, Itanhaém, São Paulo, Brazil; Graduated in Medicine from the Federal University of Roraima. Residency in Gynecology and Obstetrics at Jorge Rossmann Regional Hospital, Itanhaém, São Paulo, Brazil; Medical student, São Judas Tadeu University (USJT), Cubatão, São Paulo, Brazil; Graduated in Medicine from the São Judas Tadeu University (USJT), Cubatão, São Paulo, Brazil; Graduated in Medicine from the Federal University of Maranhão,Residency in Family and Community Medicine, Praia Grande, São Paulo, Brazil

Article Information

Volume / Issue7 / 2 (April-June 2026)
Pages78-88
AccessOpen Access

Publication Timeline

  • Received28 February 2026
  • Accepted26 March 2026
  • Published

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Abstract

Objective: To investigate scientific evidence in the literature regarding the impact of regular physical activity during a normal-risk pregnancy on the progression of labor, taking into account the type, frequency, and intensity of the exercises performed. 
Methodology: A systematic literature review was conducted in the PubMed, CAPES Journal Portal, and Virtual Health Library (VHL) databases, including studies published between 2016 and 2026 in Portuguese, English, and Spanish. The selection of studies followed the stages of identification, screening, eligibility, and inclusion, in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria and reviewing titles, abstracts, and full-text articles, 38 articles were included in the final analysis. 
Results: The analyzed studies indicate that regular physical activity during pregnancy is associated with a higher prevalence of vaginal delivery, a possible reduction in the duration of labor, and a lower need for obstetric interventions, such as epidural analgesia and cesarean section. No evidence was found of an increased risk of vaginal laceration or adverse events related to exercise, even at moderate to controlled intensities. 
Conclusion: Regular physical activity during a low-risk pregnancy is safe and potentially beneficial for the progression of labor, contributing to more favorable obstetric outcomes. The systematic incorporation of exercise guidance into prenatal care, in an individualized and supervised manner, is recommended as a strategy for promoting maternal and neonatal health.
 

Keywords

PregnancyPhysical ActivityLaborChildbirthMaternal Health

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How to Cite

Paschoal, J. F. B., Carvalho, R. P., Culpo, J. V. L., Lima, A. M. D. S., Araujo, C. D. M. N. S., Santos, I. P., Santos, M. E., Bertozzi, C. V. D. S., Vieira, L. D. S., Lima, V. O., Costa, C. S. D., Pereira, T. V., Emigliozzi, M. Z., Garcia, F. J. L., Dorna, B. E. S., Malaquias, D. T. M., Bezerra, T. A. R., lima, J. M., Lemos, M. F., Lima, A. L. D., Tudela, R. R., Ventura, M. B. M., & Picciani, F. G. (2026). The Impact of Physical Activity During Normal-Risk Pregnancy on Labor and Delivery Outcomes: The Role of Family and Community Medicine in Prenatal Care – An Integrative Review. International Journal of Medical and All Body Health Research, 7(2), 78-88. https://doi.org/10.54660/IJMBHR.2026.7.2.78-88

Paschoal, Juliana Fontes Beltran, et al. "The Impact of Physical Activity During Normal-Risk Pregnancy on Labor and Delivery Outcomes: The Role of Family and Community Medicine in Prenatal Care – An Integrative Review." International Journal of Medical and All Body Health Research, vol. 7, no. 2, 2026, pp. 78-88. https://doi.org/10.54660/IJMBHR.2026.7.2.78-88.

Paschoal, J. F. B., Carvalho, R. P., Culpo, J. V. L., Lima, A. M. D. S., Araujo, C. D. M. N. S., Santos, I. P., Santos, M. E., Bertozzi, C. V. D. S., Vieira, L. D. S., Lima, V. O., Costa, C. S. D., Pereira, T. V., Emigliozzi, M. Z., Garcia, F. J. L., Dorna, B. E. S., Malaquias, D. T. M., Bezerra, T. A. R., lima, J. M., Lemos, M. F., Lima, A. L. D., Tudela, R. R., Ventura, M. B. M. and Picciani, F. G. (2026) 'The Impact of Physical Activity During Normal-Risk Pregnancy on Labor and Delivery Outcomes: The Role of Family and Community Medicine in Prenatal Care – An Integrative Review', International Journal of Medical and All Body Health Research, 7(2), pp. 78-88. doi: 10.54660/IJMBHR.2026.7.2.78-88.

Paschoal JFB, Carvalho RP, Culpo JVL, Lima AMDS, Araujo CDMNS, Santos IP, et al. The Impact of Physical Activity During Normal-Risk Pregnancy on Labor and Delivery Outcomes: The Role of Family and Community Medicine in Prenatal Care – An Integrative Review. International Journal of Medical and All Body Health Research. 2026;7(2):78-88. doi:10.54660/IJMBHR.2026.7.2.78-88

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