Empowering maternal health: Resistance and aerobic exercises for glycemic control in gestational diabetes

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is one of the most prevalent medical and metabolic disorders which may lead to high-risk pregnancy. As per recommendation from the American Diabetes Association approximately 30 min of physical exercise on most of the days can improve glycemic control among women with GDM. This study has evaluated the efficacy of resistance and aerobic exercises to maintain optimal glycemic control and improve maternal outcomes among gestational diabetic mothers.

A quasi-experimental study was conducted among 132 study participants with GDM, as diagnosed by obstetricians and met the inclusion criteria. Participants were selected through purposive sampling and subsequently assigned to groups using random allocation. The biochemical parameters of the study participants were analyzed in the hospital laboratory. In the intervention group was exposed to training in aerobic and resistance exercises in addition to the standard hospital care.

The study findings revealed that the FBS, PPBS and HbA1c level were significantly lower in the intervention group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Eta square results showed exercise have a moderate effect on glycemic parameters. There was a significant difference in the maternal outcomes such as Preeclampsia and operative inference (p < 0.05). The relative risk (RR) of developing preeclampsia in the intervention group was found to be RR <1, whereas in the control group the relative risk was greater than 1. But all the maternal outcomes were non-significant (P > 0.05).

Aerobic and resistance exercises were effective among women with GDM to maintain optimal glycemic control and improving maternal outcomes.