Strength training can prevent diabetes during pregnancy, study shows
Various forms of physical exercise may help prevent diabetes during pregnancy (or gestational diabetes), but data are limited. In a randomized clinical trial published in Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica including 209 pregnant women, participants who followed a strength training program from gestational weeks 12–14 until week 36 or delivery had lower rates of gestational diabetes.
This study, published in Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica, suggests that strength training during pregnancy may help prevent gestational diabetes. The randomized clinical trial involved 209 pregnant women, with those who adhered to a strength training program from gestational weeks 12-14 until delivery experiencing a significantly lower incidence of gestational diabetes (0%) compared to the control group (7.3%).
Additionally, the strength training group showed no cases of large birth weight, while 6.3% of control participants experienced this complication.
Participants who followed the strength training program also reported improvements in their quality of life and experienced lower frequency and impact of pregnancy symptoms. No differences were observed in adverse events, including preterm birth, between the two groups. According to the corresponding author, Teresa E. Santa Cruz, MD, from Hospital Universitario Donostia in San Sebastián, Spain, adherence to a structured strength training program during pregnancy could help reduce the risk of gestational diabetes while also benefiting maternal well-being.
However, the researchers emphasize that further research is needed to confirm these findings and to determine the optimal way to incorporate strength training into routine prenatal care.
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