Maternal physical activity linked to child neurodevelopment

Olivia Bennett
3 Min Read
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Maternal physical activity linked to child neurodevelopment

Maternal physical activity linked to child neurodevelopment
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Maternal physical activity linked to child neurodevelopment

Higher maternal physical activity is associated with early child neurodevelopment, according to a study published online March 3 in JAMA Network Open.

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Io Kumasaka, M.D., from the Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine in Sendai, Japan, and colleagues examined the association between maternal physical activity before and during pregnancy and neurodevelopmental outcomes in children in a cohort study. Mother-child pairs were recruited, with child follow-up from birth to 3 years. The analysis included 38,219 mother-child pairs.

The researchers found that in multivariable logistic regression, higher maternal physical activity was associated with child neurodevelopment. There was an association seen for higher prepregnancy activity with significantly higher odds for each Ages & Stages Questionnaires, Third Edition (ASQ-3) domain at age 6 months and for higher midpregnancy activity with increased odds of gross motor, fine motor, and problem-solving domains (odds ratios, 1.18, 1.60, and 1.23, respectively). Higher odds for the problem-solving domain at age 3 years were seen in association with higher prepregnancy activity (odds ratio, 1.16); no association was seen with any other domain. No association was seen for midpregnancy activity with higher odds of any ASQ-3 domain at age 3 years.

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“I think that the key takeaway is that kids are very, very malleable, and there are certain things that we can do and choose to do during pregnancy that might benefit or have the potential to benefit the children,” Rosa Cui, M.D., from the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell Health in Uniondale, New York, said in a statement.

Publication details

Io Kumasaka et al, Physical Activity Before and During Pregnancy and Neurodevelopment in Early Childhood, JAMA Network Open (2026). DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2026.0345

Journal information:
JAMA Network Open

Clinical categories

PregnancyFitness & Physical activityObstetrics & gynecologyNeurologyChildren’s health

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Maternal physical activity linked to child neurodevelopment (2026, March 10)
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Olivia Bennett (she/her) is a health education specialist and medical writer dedicated to providing clear, evidence-based health information. She holds a strong academic background in public health and clinical sciences, with advanced training from respected institutions in the United States and the United Kingdom.   Bennett earned her Bachelor of Science in Public Health from the University of Michigan. She later completed her Doctor of Medicine (MD) at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, where she developed a deep interest in preventive care and patient education.   To further strengthen her expertise in global and community health, she obtained a Master of Science in Global Health and Development from the University College London. She also completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical Nutrition at the King's College London.   Since completing her studies, Bennett has worked in both clinical and health communication roles, contributing to medical blogs, health platforms, and public awareness campaigns. Her work focuses on translating complex medical research into practical guidance that everyday readers can understand and apply.   In 2021, she began specializing in digital health education, helping online health platforms maintain medically accurate, reader-friendly content. Her key areas of focus include: Preventive healthcare Women’s health Mental health awareness Chronic disease management (diabetes, hypertension) Nutrition and lifestyle medicine   Bennett believes that trustworthy health information should be accessible to everyone. Her goal is to empower readers to make informed decisions about their well-being through clear, compassionate, and research-backed guidance.   Outside of her professional work, she enjoys reading medical journals, participating in community wellness initiatives, and mentoring aspiring health writers.
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