“Nine months of physical change”

“The first trimester of the pregnancy will prove very positive for athletic performance,” said Greg Whyte, professor of applied sport at Liverpool John Moores University.

Increased red blood cell count and blood volume should help boost the Sheffield-born star’s oxygen reserves, although world record-holder and mum-of-two Paula Radcliffe said she suffered from a tiredness in pregnancy far worse than any she experienced while marathon running.

Morning sickness, back ache, swollen ankles, volatile emotions and other frustrations may impact on Ennis-Hill during pregnancy, but she will be monitored by a large support team.

“Essentially, there is no negative effect to pregnancy for an athlete whatsoever as long as she has the right structure in place to return to full fitness,” said Whyte, who has assisted the likes of Eddie Izzard and David Walliams in training for Sport Relief challenges.

“As the foetus develops, it becomes an issue late in the second trimester as this adds weight and pressure to the pelvic floor, but, even then, she can be active and train.

“Hormonal changes can also make joints less stable late in the pregnancy, but her training will be adapted accordingly.”

Read the full detailed article here from the BBC Sport News