Resistance exercise and glycemic control in women with gestational diabetes mellitus

Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2010 Dec;203(6):556.e1-6. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2010.07.015. Epub 2010 Sep 22.

Abstract

Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of a resistance exercise program with an elastic band on insulin requirement and glycemic control in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Study design: Sixty-four patients with gestational diabetes mellitus were randomly assigned into 2 groups: an exercise group (EG; n = 32) and a control group not submitted to the exercise program (CG; n = 32).

Results: A significant reduction in the number of patients who required insulin was observed in the EG (7/32) compared with the CG group (18/32) (P = .005). The percentage of time spent within the proposed target glucose range (of at least 80% of weekly measurements below the limits preestablished for the disease) was significantly higher in EG compared with the CG group (EG = 0.63 ± 0.30; CG = 0.41 ± 0.31; P = .006).

Conclusion: The resistance exercise program was effective in reducing the number of patients with GDM who required insulin and in improving capillary glycemic control in this population.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Analysis of Variance
  • Blood Glucose / analysis
  • Diabetes, Gestational / diagnosis*
  • Diabetes, Gestational / therapy*
  • Exercise / physiology
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Gestational Age
  • Humans
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Outcome*
  • Prenatal Care
  • Reference Values
  • Resistance Training / instrumentation*
  • Resistance Training / methods
  • Risk Assessment
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Blood Glucose
  • Hypoglycemic Agents