Table I.

Guidelines regarding absolute and relative contraindications to exercise during pregnancy. Adapted from Olson et al. [9].

Absolute Contraindications	Relative Contraindications
Incompetent uterine cervix Intrauterine growth restriction	Extreme underweight (body mass index < 12.0) or maternal eating disorder (such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia)
Multiple gestations (≥ triplets)	Maternal cardiac arrhythmia or cardiovascular disorder
Persistent second or third trimester bleeding	Mild to moderate respiratory disorder
Placenta previa after 25–28 weeks of gestation	Previous spontaneous abortion
Preeclampsia	Severe anemia (Hemoglobin concentration < 100 g x L-1)
Pregnancy-induced hypertension	Twin pregnancy after 28 weeks of gestation
Premature labor during current or prior pregnancy	Poorly controlled hypertension
Premature rupture of membranes	Poorly controlled type 1 diabetes
Risk of premature labor	History of extreme sedentary lifestyle
	Orthopedic limitations
	Extreme morbid obesity
	Poorly controlled seizure disorder or hypothyroidism
	Other significant medical condition