Cardiovascular response to cycle exercise during and after pregnancy

sponse to cycle exercise during and after pregnancy. J. Appl. Physiol. 66(l): 336-341, 1989.-Our purpose was to determine if pregnancy alters the cardiovascular response to exercise. Thirty-nine women [29 t 4 (SD) yr], performed submaximal and maximal exercise cycle ergometry during pregnancy (an-tepartum, AP, 26 t 3 wk of gestation) and postpartum (PP, 8 t 2 wk). Neither maximal 02 uptake (VO, mBX) nor maximal heart rate (HR) was different AP and PP (VO, = 1.91 t 0.32 and 1.83 t 0.31 l/min; HR = 182 t 8 and 184 t 7 beats/min, P> 0.05 for both). Cardiac output (Q, acetylene rebreathing technique) averaged 2.2 to 2.8 l/min higher AP (P < 0.01) at rest and at each exercise work load. Increases in both HR and stroke volume (SV) contributed to the elevated Q at the lower exercise work loads, whereas an increased SV was primarily responsible for the higher Q at higher levels. The slope of th