RepOD

This database contains cardiopulmonary data and glucose and lipid homeostasis biomarkers data collected in pregnant participants before (the 1^st assessment) and after 8-week interventions (the 2^nd assessment). The HIIT group participated in a novel prenatal high intensity interval training (HIIT), the EDU group was subjected to educational classes and performed physical activity on their own, in line with standard recommendations. We also presented data on participants’ characteristics: age, week of pregnancy, parity, physical activity level (based on International Physical Activity Questionnaire), education.

The cardiopulmonary data was collected based on the cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET), using a cycle ergometer with an electronically regulated load (Viasprint 150P; Germany) and a pulmonary gas analyzer (Oxycon Pro; Erich Jaeger GmbH, Germany). We presented maximal values for two time points: before and after the intervention: the maximal minute ventilation (VE_max), maximal oxygen consumption (VO_2max), oxygen consumption at anaerobic threshold (VO₂/AT), maximal heart rate (HR_max), maximal breathing frequency (BF_max) and maximal load (L_max).

The description of the CPET: The women sat on a chair for 5 minutes with a silicon face mask for breathing adaptation before the actual test. After the adaptation period, the women began to warm up by cycling for 4 minutes with a relative load of 0.4 W⸱kg^-1 of body mass. When the participants had warmed up, the load was increased by 0.2 W⸱kg^-1 per minute until they refused. In preparation for the test, the women were encouraged to cycle up to the limit of their physical capacity. They were also informed that they could stop the test at any time. The participants rested for 3 minutes after they finished cycling. We used the same CPET protocol before and after 8-week exercise program. At these two timepoints the number of applied Watts was related to individual participant’s body weight (after 8 weeks the number of Watts was adjusted to the increased body weight). The maximal oxygen uptake (VO_2max) was defined as the volume of oxygen consumed at maximal exertion sustained for 15 seconds. The AT was determined utilizing a modified V-slope method and the ventilatory equivalent (VE) method.

On the days of exercise tests we assessed selected glucose and lipid metabolism biomarkers from blood samples in fasting condition. The levels of fasting glucose, glycated hemoglobin, and lipid profile (total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, not high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, triglycerides) were assessed on the same day of blood collection, in a commercial laboratory which has accreditation from the Polish Center for Accreditation (no. Nr AM 002). In the next step we assessed the levels of insulin, leptin, and irisin. The blood (5 ml) was collected into BD Vacutainer® blood collection tubes (Catalogue no. 368774) containing a coagulation accelerator for serum separation. The serum was obtained by standard laboratory procedures (centrifuged at 2000 g for 10 min at 4 °C.), aliquoted into 500-ml portions, and frozen at −86 °C until analysis (at most 6 months from separation). Levels of serum insulin and leptin were determined using the Luminex^® technique with a high sensitivity kit (Milliplex MAP kit) from Bio-Techne Corporation. The analyses were done using a MAGPIX fluorescence detection system (Luminex Corp., Austin, TX, USA) with Luminex assays (Luminex Corp.; Luminex Human Magnetic Assays). Quantification of serum irisin was based on a competitive enzyme immunoassay (competitive ELISA) using Thermo Scientific™ Multiskan™ FC Microplate Photometer (Singapore). The assay kits were purchased from Phoenix Pharmaceuticals Inc. (catalog no. EK 067-29).

Based on this data first, we aimed at answering whether the high intensity interval training (HIIT) will positively affect the cardiopulmonary parameters in pregnant women; secondly, will biomarkers of glucose and lipid metabolism remain normal after HIIT intervention?

We observed that both interventions were effective to keep the levels of glucose and lipid biomarkers within the normal ranges for pregnancy. We have not observed any adverse obstetric and neonatal outcomes in either group.

We concluded that both supervised HIIT and self-performed moderate to vigorous physical activity can be recommended for prevention of metabolic disorders during pregnancy. However, to improve exercise capacity, women should be subjected to HIIT programs..

This dataset was collected as part of a larger project on "The Effect of Pre- and Postnatal High Intensity Interval Training and Moderate Intensity Continuous Training on Biological, Functional and Psychological Markers of Pregnancy Disorders and Non-communicable Diseases in Mothers and Offsprings" (NCT05009433).