Resistance exercise and glycemic control in women with gestational diabetes mellitus

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). 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). 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).

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.

de Barros MC, Lopes MAB, Francisco RPV, et al. Resistance exercise and glycemic control in women with gestational diabetes mellitus. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2010;203:556.e1-6.

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