The IMPACT project

The Intergenerational effects of Maternal Physical Activity on Child developmenT (IMPACT) project is investigating the effects of physical activity during pregnancy for child brain and mental health.

In Australia, 1 in 7 children are diagnosed annually with a mental health condition. These conditions can be life-long and increase the risk of secondary disorders in later life. This represents an $11b annual burden on the economy and an adverse impact on patient and family wellbeing. The challenge of identifying those at risk of developing these disorders begins antenatally. 

Risk factors for poor fetal brain development and child mental health after birth include poor maternal mental, cardiovascular, metabolic, and sleep health. These risk factors can all be improved through increased physical activity, and we believe that physical activity during pregnancy may have downstream benefits on the child’s brain and mental health. The IMPACT project is investigating if physical activity while pregnant is beneficial for fetal brain development in-utero and child neurodevelopment after birth. Given that only 1 in 3 pregnant women meet physical activity guidelines, we hope that by identifying the child brain and mental health benefits, we might motivate more women to be active – in the same way that pregnant women alter their diet, stop smoking and consuming alcohol.

This project is funded by the Hunter Children's Research Foundation and led by Dr Sarah Valkenborghs at the University of Newcastle.