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Abstract
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ABSTRACT Benefits of breast milk for the mother and the infant are clearly known; yet, the effects of physical activities on composition of the milk are not fully understood. The present study aims to investigate the effects of 12 weeks of aerobic exercises on quality of breast milk. Thirty non-athlete healthy and convenient mothers volunteered for the study participated in it. Investigating the effects of exercises on variables and comparing the means of the variables for both groups was done using the T test and the effect of exercising on changes in composition of milk was done through two-factor ANOVA. Findings revealed that one hour of aerobic exercises with 60 to 70% severity heart rate Maximum (HR max) significantly affect the composition so that even one hour after the exercise, the percentage of fat and protein increases, the percentage of lactose and water decreases and the conductivity remains unchanged. Moreover, no significant difference was observed in milk factors of both control and experiment groups after 12 weeks of aerobic exercise; however, the experiment group was of a higher cardiorespiratory fitness compared to the control group. It seems as if aerobic exercises with an average severity and long enough lengths of time aiming at cardiorespiratory health will not interfere in milking function and the quality of milk factors in breast milk.
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