Journal of Biosciences and Medicines, 2021, 9, 117-123 https://www.scirp.org/journal/jbm ISSN Online: 2327-509X ISSN Print: 2327-5081 DOI: 10.4236/jbm.2021.910010 Oct. 21, 2021 117 Journal of Biosciences and Medicines Acute Response of Heart Rate of Pregnant Women to Aerobic Dance Exercise Jovita A. Daniel 1* , Sandra C. Okoli 2 , Edith I. Mbakwe 2 , Anthonia A. Udoaku 2 , Emily A. Nzeribe 3 1 Department of Prosthetics and Orthotics, School of Health Science Technology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria 2 Department of Physiotherapy, Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, Nigeria 3 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, Nigeria Abstract This was a Pre-test/Post-test research designed to study the acute heart rate response of pregnant women to aerobic dance exercise. Twenty four (24) pregnant women with no complications participated in this study. HR in- creased significantly after 30 minutes exercise [7.292, P = 0.004 (P < 0.05)] and then decreased significantly again after 30 minutes rest, post exercise [10.00, P = 0.0001 (P < 0.05)]. The heart rate normalised after 30 minutes rest, showing no significant difference from the pre-exercise value [2.708, P = 0.517 (P > 0.05)]. Moderate intensity Aerobic Dance Exercise may not preci- pitate adverse acute cardiorespiratory response in pregnant women with no complications. Keywords Aerobic Dance, Heart Rate, Exercise, Pregnancy 1. Introduction With the increase in acceptability of exercise in pregnancy among pregnant women and their attending Physicians, the need to ascertain the safety of most of the commonly recommended exercises for the mother and fetus becomes more important. The normal development of a fetus depends wholly on the mother [1] and maternal actions and inactions may affect the fetus positively or negatively. During exercise, blood flow is redistributed to the muscles. The re- duced flow to the visceral organs may compromise the uterine blood flow be- cause the fetus requires a continuous and adequate supply of oxygen and nu- trients for its metabolism, growth and waste product removal [2]. Severe and How to cite this paper: Daniel, J.A., Okoli, S.C., Mbakwe, E.I., Udoaku, A.A. and Nze- ribe, E.A. (2021) Acute Response of Heart Rate of Pregnant Women to Aerobic Dance Exercise. Journal of Biosciences and Med- icines, 9, 117-123. https://doi.org/10.4236/jbm.2021.910010 Received: September 7, 2021 Accepted: October 18, 2021 Published: October 21, 2021 Copyright © 2021 by author(s) and Scientific Research Publishing Inc. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution International License (CC BY 4.0). http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Open Access