<![CDATA[Antenatal exercise is a non-pharmacological intervention that is increasingly recommended to improve maternal and fetal health during pregnancy. Although numerous studies have reported its benefits, the consistency of scientific evidence and its successful implementation in healthcare settings remain under debate. This review aims to critically examine the effectiveness of antenatal exercise on maternal and fetal outcomes, as well as to identify the gap between scientific evidence and its application in real-world practice. This study employed a literature review approach following the PRISMA framework by searching databases including PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar. The included articles were published between 2016 and 2026 and focused on physical activity during pregnancy with maternal and/or fetal outcomes. A total of seven articles met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed in this review. The findings indicate that antenatal exercise has the potential to reduce the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, as well as to contribute to more efficient labor processes. However, these effects are not consistently observed, particularly in studies with higher methodological quality. In addition, variations in intervention design and low adherence levels are important factors influencing its effectiveness. These findings suggest that the benefits of antenatal exercise depend not only on clinical aspects but also on the context of its implementation. Therefore, integrating structured and community-based exercise programs is essential to optimize its application in maternal healthcare services. ]]>
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