The Study
Effects of strength training on quality of life in pregnant women: A systematic review
This study looked at lots of experiments where pregnant women either did strength training or didn’t, and then compared how they felt. It found that those who trained often felt better, had less pain, and gained less weight. But it doesn’t prove strength training caused all those improvements—just that they usually happened together.
Analysis score
Maximum 100 for a systematic review.
Where the score came from
This study looked at whether pregnant women who did supervised strength training felt better and had fewer problems than those who didn't.
Where does this study sit?
Reviews of RCTs (Meta-analyses)
Max 100Randomized Trials
Max 90Reviews of Cohort Studies
Max 85Cohort Studies
Max 72Reviews of Case-Control Studies
Max 63Case-Control Studies
Max 58Cross-Sectional & Case Series
Max 50Expert Opinion
Max 526 / 100
Quality score
The highest quality evidence. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses that pool randomized controlled trials, giving the most reliable summary of experimental evidence.
Key takeaways
Summary
Based on the study abstract and findings.
- 1Yes — these changes mean less discomfort, more energy, better sleep, and easier daily movement during pregnancy.
- 2Strength training reduced weight gain by about 1.9 kg, cut back and sciatic pain by 30–50%, improved sleep, energy, and mood, and made muscles stronger.
Score breakdown, methodology, conflicts of interest, evidence analysis & raw study data
Publication
Journal
Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica
Year
2025
Authors
Paula Redondo-Delgado, P. Blanco-Gímenez, S. López-Ortiz, Celia García-Chico, J. Vicente-Mampel, S. Maroto-Izquierdo
Related Content
Claims (6)
When pregnant women do supervised strength training, they tend to gain less weight than usual, feel less back and sciatic pain, and feel stronger, more energetic, sleep better, and feel more mentally well.
When pregnant women do supervised strength training, they're likely to feel less back and sciatic pain—by about half—and find it easier to move around and do daily tasks compared to those who just get regular prenatal care.
When pregnant women do strength training with a trainer, they may feel more energetic, less tired, and less anxious, according to standard health surveys.
Doing guided strength exercises while pregnant can help make your muscles stronger and your heart and lungs work better, which makes daily activities easier and less tiring.
If pregnant women do supervised strength training once or twice a week for at least 12 weeks, they might gain about 4 pounds less than those who get regular prenatal care, and this could help lower their chances of developing gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, or needing a C-section.
Doing guided strength exercises while pregnant might help you sleep longer and better, which could make you feel less tired and more emotionally balanced.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.