Gestational Diabetes

GDM: Physical Activity/Exercise (2001)

• Intervention
  Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Conclusion Statements: Exercise/physical activity (2001)

  • Conclusion

    Regular physical activity decreases the common discomforts associated with pregnancy without a negative effect on maternal or neonatal outcomes. Regular physical activity is also beneficial in reducing insulin resistance, postprandial hyperglycemia and excessive weight gain. However, prolonged exercise (>60 minutes) is more likely to cause hypoglycemia in pregnancy.

  • Grade: II
    • Grade I means there is Good/Strong evidence supporting the statement;
    • Grade II is Fair;
    • Grade III is Limited/Weak;
    • Grade IV is Expert Opinion Only;
    • Grade V is Not Assignable.
    • High (A) means we are very confident that the true effect lies close to that of the estimate of the effect;
    • Moderate (B) means we are moderately confident in the effect estimate;
    • Low (C) means our confidence in the effect estimate is limited;
    • Very Low (D) means we have very little confidence in the effect estimate.
    • Ungraded means a grade is not assignable.
  • Evidence Summary: Gestational Diabetes and Exercise-Physical Activity
    • Detail
    • Quality Rating Summary
      For a summary of the Quality Rating results, click here.
    • Worksheets
      • Summary and Recommendations of the 4th International Workshop-Conference on Gestational Diabetes Mellitus.  Metzger BE, Coustan DR.  Diabetes Care 1998;21; Suppl 2:B161-167.
      • Exercise during pregnancy and the postpartum period.  American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Technical Bulletin Number 189 - February 1994.  Int J Gynecol Obstet 1994;45:65-70.   
      • Avery MD, Leon AS, Kopher RA.  Effects of a partially home-based exercise program for women with gestational diabetes.  Obstet Gynecol 1997;89:10-15.
      • Clapp JF.  Morphometric and neurodevelopmental outcome at age five years of the offspring of women who continued to exercise regularly throughout pregnancy. J Pediatr 1996;129:856-863.
      • Horns PN, Ratcliffe LP, Leggett JC, Swanson MS. Pregnancy outcomes among active and sedentary primiparous women.  JOGNN 1996; 25:49-54. 
      • Langer O, Hod M.  Management of gestational diabetes mellitus.  Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am 1996;23(1):137-159.
      • Lesser KB, Gruppuso PA, Terry RB, Carpenter MW.  Exercise fails to improve postprandial glycemic excursion in women with gestational diabetes.  J Maternal-Fetal Medicine 1996; 5:211-217. 
      • Soultanakis HN, Artal R, Wiswell RA.  Prolonged exercise in pregnancy:  glucose homeostasis, ventilatory and cardiovascular responses.  Seminars in Perinatology, 1996;20(4):315-327.