EXERCISE AS A THERAPEUTIC INTERVENTION IN GESTATIONAL DIABETES (DIABETES MELLITUS).
Contributors: University of Minnesota.
Published: 1993
Number of pages: 145
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.; Health Sciences, Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Description: Up to 12% of pregnant women develop gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). When GDM occurs there is increased risk to the mother and infant and a 20% to 50% risk of the woman developing diabetes later in life. Exercise, recommended as part of the treatment for non- pregnant diabetics, has not been utilized to treat diabetes during pregnancy. The purpose of this prospective, randomized study was to examine the effectiveness of a moderate intensity aerobic exercise program in reducing maternal and infant complications when GDM occurs.

Thirty-three women diagnosed as having GDM were assigned to the experimental (exercise) or the control (no-exercise) group. All subjects underwent hemoglobin A$\sb1$C and fructosamine assays, submaximal cycle ergometer fitness tests at baseline and at study the conclusion. Subjects who were in the study for eight weeks completed a third hemoglobin A$\sb1$C and fructosamine assay. All subjects kept diaries of home fasting and 2-hr post-prandial blood glucose determinations and any exercise they performed. Experimental group subjects were asked to exercise for 30 min three to four times weekly at 70% of estimated maximal heart rate for the weeks of study participation. Two exercise sessions weekly were supervised by the investigator and two were unsupervised at home. Control group subjects were asked to maintain their current activity level. Infant birth weight, incidence of newborn hypoglycemia, gestational age at birth, Apgar scores, incidence of maternal exogenous insulin therapy, and maternal weight change were abstracted from the hospital and clinic medical records.

There were no differences for any of the main maternal or infant dependent variables. There was a training effect within the exercise group but not within the control group. A significant decline in daily gm of carbohydrate consumed was observed within the control group but not within the exercise group. Evaluation of fetal heart rate tracings and Apgar scores and review of complications demonstrate that this type of intervention is safe for mothers and their infants. The findings suggest that home-based exercise is safe, produces a training effect, and may impact blood glucose levels if intensity is increased and dietary intake is maintained.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 54-12, Section: B, page: 6130.

Thesis (PH.D.)--UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, 1993.

School code: 0130.