Progress 10/01/99 to 10/01/04
Outputs
Current recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American College of Sports Medicine are to exercise moderately 30 minutes per day, every day of the week, whereas the Institute of Medicine recommends incorporating 60 minutes of moderate exercise per day to achieve optimal health benefits. In addition, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Dietetic Association recommend that all women breastfeed their infants during the first year of life. However, there is a paucity of research on the effects of exercise during lactation on maternal health and the composition of their breast milk. Therefore, the purpose of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the effects of chronic and acute exercise on 1) maternal immune status, 2) maternal zinc status, 3) maternal plasma and breast milk concentrations of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA), and 4) immunological compounds in breast milk. Exclusively lactating women
were studied at 3 months postpartum. Women in the exercise group (EG, n=29) reported exercising aerobically at least 30 min/d for 3d/wk and women in the sedentary group (SG, n=24) exercised one time or less a week during the past six weeks. Measurements made at 3 months postpartum included body composition, cardiovascular fitness, weighed 3-day diet record, maternal immune and zinc status, and concentrations of IgA, lactoferrin, lysozyme and LCPUFA in milk. The phenotypic profile of immune cells was determined by complete blood cell count and absolute counts of CDs 3+, 4+, 8+, 19+ and 56+ cells. Immune function was determined by neutrophil bacterial killing and oxidative burst activities, and in vitro mitogenic responsiveness of lymphocytes. Zinc status was determined by measuring plasma and erythrocyte zinc and alkaline phosphatase (AP) and 5 nucleotidase (5NT) activity. A subsample of the EG (n=17) participated in a 30 minute exercise session at 75% of maximum heart rate and a rest
session of 30 minutes of sitting rest on two separate days. Breast milk samples were collected before and 10 and 60 minutes following exercise and rest sessions. IgA, lactoferrin, lysozyme and LCPUFA concentrations were measured. The EG had a significantly higher cardiovascular fitness level than the CG. No significant differences were observed between groups in body composition, dietary intake, zinc status, and phenotypic profiles and activities of immune cells. Milk concentrations of IgA, lactoferrin, lysozyme and LCPUFA were not significantly different between groups. In addition, there were no significant differences in the concentrations of IgA, lactoferrin, lysozyme or LCPUFA after 30 minutes of moderate exercise compared to sitting at rest for 30 minutes. These results suggest that moderate exercise during lactation improves cardiovascular fitness without affecting maternal immune status or levels of immunological components and LCPUFA in breast milk.
Impacts
Many women want to begin an exercise program to lose excess weight gained during pregnancy and prevent postpartum obesity. However, there is little research on the effects of exercise during lactation on maternal health and breast milk composition. The results from this ARS project indicate that exercise during lactation improves cardiovascular fitness levels without impairing maternal immune and zinc status or the immunological properties and long-chained fatty acid composition of breast milk.
Publications
- Lovelady, C.A., Fuller, C.J., Geigerman, C.M., Hunter, C.P. and T.C. Kinsella. Immune status of physically active women during lactation. Med Sci Sport Exer 2004;36:1001-1006.
- Lovelady, C.A. The impact of energy restriction and exercise in lactating women. In: Pickering, L.K., Morrow, A.L., G.M. Ruiz-Palacios, and Schanler, R.J., eds. Protecting Infants through human milk: Advancing the scientific evidence. NewYork:Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers, 2004:115-120. Bopp, M.J., Lovelady, C.A., Hunter, C.P. and T.C. Kinsella. Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid composition of plasma and breast milk of exercising lactating women. FASEB J 2004;18:A927.
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Progress 10/01/02 to 09/30/03
Outputs
Although it is well documented that human milk provides optimal nutrition and immune benefits to the infant, factors influencing the immunological and long-chained fatty acid (LCPUFA) composition of breast milk are less understood. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to: a) compare the levels of immunological compounds and LCPUFA in human milk of exercising women with the milk of sedentary women and b) determine if 30 minutes of moderate exercise affects immunological properties and LCPUFA of human milk. Exclusively lactating women were studied at 3 months postpartum. Women in the exercise group (EG, n=29) reported exercising aerobically at least 30 min/d for 3d/wk and women in the sedentary group (SG, n=24) exercised one time or less a week during the past six weeks. Cardiovascular fitness levels and concentrations of IgA, lactoferrin, lysozyme and LCPUFA in milk were measured. A subsample of the EG (n=17) participated in a 30 minute exercise session at 75% of
maximum heart rate and a rest session of 30 minutes of sitting rest on two separate days. Breast milk samples were collected before and 10 and 60 minutes following exercise and rest sessions. IgA, lactoferrin, lysozyme and LCPUFA concentrations were measured. Women in the EG had a higher level of cardiovascular fitness than women in the CG (39.7 + 1.0 vs. 32.4 + 1.0 mlO2/kg/min, P < 0.001). Milk concentrations of IgA, lactoferrin, lysozyme and LCPUFA were not significantly different between groups. Also, there were no significant differences in the concentrations of IgA, lactoferrin, lysozyme or LCPUFA after moderate exercise compared to sitting rest. These results suggest that moderate exercise during lactation improves cardiovascular fitness without affecting levels of immunological components or LCPUFA in breast milk.
Impacts
Many women want to begin an exercise program to lose excess weight gained during pregnancy and prevent postpartum obesity. The results from this project indicate that exercise during lactation improves cardiovascular fitness levels without impairing the immunological properties and long-chained fatty acid composition of breast milk.
Publications
- Lovelady, C.A., Hunter, C.P. and C.M. Geigerman (2003). The effect of exercise on immunological factors in human milk. Pediatrics 111:e148-e152.
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Progress 10/01/01 to 09/30/02
Outputs
While it is well documented that human milk provides optimal nutrition and immune benefits to the infant, factors influencing the immunological composition of breast milk are less understood. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to: 1) compare the levels of immunological compounds in human milk of exercising women with the milk of sedentary women and 2) determine if 30 minutes of moderate exercise affects immunological properties of human milk. Exclusively lactating women were studied at 3 months postpartum. Women in the exercise group (EG, n=29) reported exercising aerobically at least 30 min/d for 3d/wk and women in the sedentary group (SG, n=24) exercised one time or less a week during the past six weeks. Cardiovascular fitness levels and concentrations of IgA, lactoferrin and lysozyme in milk were measured. A subsample of the EG (n=17) participated in a 30 minute exercise session at 75% of maximum heart rate and a rest session of 30 minutes of sitting rest on
two separate days. Breast milk samples were collected before and 10 and 60 minutes following exercise and rest sessions. IgA, lactoferrin and lysozyme concentrations were measured. Women in the EG had a higher level of cardiovascular fitness than women in the CG (39.7 + /- 1.0 vs. 32.4 + /- 1.0 ml02/kg/min, P < 0.001). Milk concentrations of IgA, lactoferrin or lysozyme were not significantly different between groups. In addition, there were no significant differences in the concentrations of IgA, lactoferrin or lysozyme after moderate exercise compared to sitting rest. These results suggest that moderate exercise during lactation improves cardiovascular fitness without affecting levels of IgA, lactoferrin or lysozyme in breast milk.
Impacts
Many women want to begin an exercise program to lose excess weight gained during pregnancy and prevent postpartum obesity. The results from this ARS project indicate that exercise during lactation improves cardiovascular fitness levels without impairing maternal immune status or the immunological properties of breast milk.
Publications
- Lovelady, C.A., Phipps, C.L., Bradley, C.J., Synnott, K.F., and C.M. Geigerman 2002. Effect of exercise on secretory IgA and lactoferrin concentrations in human milk. In: A. Wright, M. Davis and C. Issacs, eds. Integrating Population Outcomes, Biological Mechanisms, and Research Methods in the Study of Human Milk and Lactation. New York:Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers, 291-292.
- Lovelady, C.A., Dewey, K.G., Picciano, M.F. and A Dermer 2002. Guidelines for collection of human milk samples for monitoring and research of environmental chemicals. J Toxicol Environ Health; 65:101-111.
- Lovelady, C.A., Kinsella, T. Fuller, C.J., Taylor, M.L. and C.M. Geigerman 2002. Zinc and immune status of exercising lactating women. FASEB J;16:A660 (abstract).
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Progress 10/01/00 to 09/30/01
Outputs
Low dietary zinc, excess iron and fiber, and vigorous exercise may compromise zinc status. Since marginal zinc deficiency alters immune status, the purpose of this study was to examine the zinc and immune status of exercising, lactating women. Dietary intake, cardiovascular fitness (VO2max), body composition, zinc status (plasma and erythrocyte zinc and alkaline phosphatase (AP) and 5'nucleotidase (5NT) activity) and immune status (complete blood cell count; counts of T (CD4 and 8), B (CD19) and natural killer (CD56) cells; neutrophil bacterial killing; and lymphocyte response to mitogens) were measured at 3 months postpartum (n equals 36). Mean percent body fat was 25.8 and VO2max was 36.7 mlO2 per kg. Mean intakes (diet and supplements) were: zinc 25.0 mg, iron 47.8 mg, fiber 19.9 g and kcal 2219. There was no relationship between 1) VO2max, kcal, fiber, zinc or iron intake with zinc status or 2) plasma or erythrocyte zinc with immune status. Activity of AP was
related to CD4, 8, 19 and 56 cells and 5NT to neutrophil bacterial killing (p less than 0.01). Results suggest that moderate exercise does not affect zinc and immune status of women consuming adequate amounts of zinc during lactation.
Impacts
It is not known to what extent diet and exercise affect maternal immune status during lactation. The results of this study show that moderate exercise does not affect immune indicators in well-nourished lactating women. This is important for women who want to maintain a healthy body weight and improve their health and cardiovascular fitness level during the postpartum period.
Publications
- Kinsella, T. C. 2001. The effect of diet and exercise on the zinc and immune status of lactating women. Master's Thesis. The University of North Carolina at Greensboro. 1-111.
- Lovelady, C. A., Williams, J. P., Garner, K. E. Moreno, K. L., Taylor, M. L. and Leklem, J. E. 2001. Effect of energy restriction and exercise on vitamin B-6 status of women during lactation. Med Sci Sport Exer. 33:512-518.
- Lovelady, C. A., Fuller, C. J., Kinsella, T., Phipps, C. L., Geigerman, C. M. and Bowles, A. 2001. Relationship of body composition and maternal immune status during lactation. FASEB J. 15:A1004 (abstract).
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Progress 10/01/99 to 09/30/00
Outputs
While the immunological benefits of lactation are well known, the influence of factors on maternal immune status and immunological properties of breast milk is not established. This cross-sectional study compared the immune status of exercising and sedentary lactating women. Women were grouped according to their physical activity. Women in the exercise group (EG, n=13) reported exercising at least 30 min/day, 3 d/wk for the past 6 wks and women in the sedentary group (CG, n=13) exercised less than one time/wk during the postpartum period. Measurements made at 3 mo postpartum included body composition, cardiovascular fitness, weighed 3-day diet, record, maternal immune status and analysis of milk IgA and lactoferrin. The phenotypic profile of immune cells was determined by complete blood cell count and absolute counts of CDs 3+, 4+, 8+, 19+ and 56+ cells. Immune function was determined by neutrophil bacterial killing and oxidative burst activities, and in vitro
mitogenic responsiveness of lymphocytes. Milk samples were assessed for levels of IgA and lactoferrin using ELISA. The EG had a significantly higher cardiovascular fitness level (39.3 vs. 32.2 ml oxygen/kg/min, p=0.001) than the CG. No significant differences were observed between groups in body composition, dietary intake, phenotypic profiles and activities of immune cells. Milk IgA (EG: 1.95 g/l; CG: 2.51 g/l) and lactoferrin (EG: 1.15 g/l; CG: 0.92 g/l) concentrations were not significantly different between groups. These results indicate that exercise during lactation improves cardiovascular fitness levels without impairing maternal immune status or the immunological properties of breast milk.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Mukherjea, R., Moser-Veillon, P. and Lovelady, C. 2000. Effect of exercise and energy restriction on leptin during lactation. In: Short and Long Term Effects of Breast Feeding on Child Health, eds., Koletzko, B., Michaelsen, K.F. and O. Hernell. New York:Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers, 417-418.
- Lovelady, C.A., Garner, K.E., Moreno, K.L., Reavis, C.L. and Cooper, T.R. 2000. Weight loss during the postpartum period in overweight, lactating women. FASEB J.14:A530 (Abstract).
- Phipps. C.L., Lovelady, C.A., Fuller, C.J., Failla, M.L., Geigerman, C.M., Han, T., Kinsella, T., Reavis, C.L., and Synnott, K. 2000. Immune status of exercising, lactating women. FASEB J. 14:A508 (Abstract).
- Phipps, C.L.2000. Chronic and acute effects of exercise on maternal immune status and immunological properties of breast milk. Master's thesis, The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, p. 1-101.
- Lovelady, C.A., Garner, K.E., Moreno, K.L., and Williams, J. P. 2000. The effect of weight loss in overweight, lactating women on the growth of their infants. N Engl J Med. 342:44-53.
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Progress 10/01/98 to 09/30/99
Outputs
No report
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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