# Proteomic changes induced by acute exercise and high-intensity interval training during pregnancy: a pilot randomised controlled trial

PMID: 41214136
Journal: Scientific Reports
Published: 2025 Nov 10
Authors: Goik D, Szumilewicz A, Musiał N, Santos-Rocha R, Wołyniec W, May LE, Czaplewska P

## Question

What urinary proteome changes are induced by acute CPET and by an 8-week HIIT program in women with uncomplicated pregnancies?

## Summary

This small pilot randomized study examined supervised HIIT during uncomplicated pregnancy, focusing mostly on urinary proteome changes. The HIIT group maintained cardiopulmonary test values while the education group declined, and fewer proteins changed after acute CPET following 8 weeks of HIIT, suggesting adaptation. No adverse effects on pregnancy, childbirth, maternal health, or fetal health were observed, but the sample was very small.

## Population

- Healthy pregnant women with uncomplicated singleton pregnancies selected from a larger randomized HIIT Mama trial.
- Sample size: 18
- Age: 24-42 years; baseline mean 32 +/- 5 years overall
- Sex: Women
- Fitness level: Pregnant participants with baseline physical activity measured by IPAQ; groups similar at baseline
- Health status: Uncomplicated pregnancies between 13 and 28 gestational weeks; normoglycemia and normolipidemia assessed

## Methodology

- Pilot randomized controlled trial proteomics analysis within the HIIT Mama project
- 8 weeks
- Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport laboratory, Poland
- Randomized and controlled study design.

## Protocol

- Prenatal HIIT.
- Modality: Mixed major-muscle-group exercises including squats, lunges, and running in place.
- Work intervals: 30-60 s.
- Recovery: 30-60 s.
- Intensity: Above HR/AT during intervals; average target 88 +/- 5% HRmax, monitored by HR, Borg RPE, and talk test.
- Session duration: 60 min, including 15-20 min high-intensity interval segment.
- Frequency: 3 sessions/week.
- Program length: 8 weeks.
- EDU.
- Modality: Online education plus self-directed physical activity advice.
- Intensity: Encouraged moderate-to-vigorous physical activity according to recommendations.
- Frequency: Online real-time sessions; participants encouraged to reach at least 150 min/week activity.
- Program length: 8 weeks.

## Outcomes

### Proteome response
Status: improved
CPET produced more differentially expressed urinary proteins before training than after 8 weeks of HIIT, which authors interpreted as adaptation.

Proteins significant at q<0.05; after HIIT, 15 proteins changed 15 min after CPET and 30 changed 60 min after CPET.

### VO2peak
Status: mixed
HIIT maintained VO2peak from 25 +/- 3 to 25 +/- 4 mL/kg/min, while EDU declined from 24 +/- 4 to 21 +/- 4 mL/kg/min.

Between-group ANOVA p=0.02; HIIT within-group p=0.99; EDU within-group p=0.02

### VO2 at AT
Status: mixed
HIIT changed from 18 +/- 3 to 20 +/- 3 mL/kg/min, while EDU declined from 20 +/- 4 to 16 +/- 3 mL/kg/min.

Between-group ANOVA p<0.001; HIIT within-group p=0.32; EDU within-group p=0.002

### Safety
Status: no clear change
The authors observed no adverse effects of HIIT or EDU on pregnancy, childbirth, maternal health, or fetal health.

## Practical Insights

- The protocol used 15-20 min of 30-60 s prenatal-adapted hard intervals inside a 60 min supervised session.
- Heart-rate targets were individualized to anaerobic threshold and supported by RPE and the talk test.
- Pregnancy HIIT evidence should be treated as special-population content requiring clearance and conservative safety language.

## Limitations

- Pilot sample of 18 participants.
- Participants varied by gestational trimester.
- Main outcomes were proteomic surrogates.
- Selected proteomics subsample from a larger randomized project.
- No clinical pregnancy complication conclusions can be drawn.
- Progression details were not reported in the extracted text.

## Safety And Adherence

- No adverse effects of either intervention were observed on pregnancy, childbirth, maternal health, or fetal health.
- Eligibility required obstetric confirmation that physical activity adapted for pregnancy was allowed.

## Original Sources

- [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41214136/) (pubmed)
- [DOI](https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-22991-3) (doi)
- [PMC full text](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12603284/) (full text)

## Agent Guidance

Preserve the paper-level scope of this note. Do not generalize beyond the population, protocol, measured outcomes, and limitations above.