Strength Training During Pregnancy May Improve Maternal Health and Reduce Gestational Diabetes Risk: Study
Researchers have found in a randomized trial of 209 pregnant women with overweight or obesity found that a structured strength-training program improved maternal quality of life and reduced the frequency and impact of pregnancy-related symptoms. Although the primary outcome, reduction in gestational diabetes, did not reach statistical significance overall, women who adhered closely to the training program showed a favorable trend toward lower gestational diabetes rates.
No increase in adverse outcomes, including preterm birth, was observed. The findings suggest that supervised strength training may be a beneficial component of prenatal care, although larger studies are needed to confirm its role in preventing gestational diabetes. The study was published in the AOGS journal by Teresa E. and colleagues.
In order to scientifically investigate the influence of resistance exercises during pregnancy, researchers designed a randomized controlled study including 209 pregnant women with a body mass index of 25 kg/m² or above. Subjects were randomly assigned to the control or the active group receiving structured resistance training from gestational weeks 12 to 14 through week 36 of pregnancy or delivery. Active intervention included a combination of exercise and home-based training that was safe during pregnancy.
The primary endpoint of the study measured the overall incidence of GDM, whereas other endpoints measured the total weight gain during pregnancy, fetal macrosomia, level of physical activity, quality of life, and pregnancy symptoms.
Key findings:
- In the active intervention cohort, 48% of participants successfully achieved the predefined protocol adherence target from week 12–14 through week 36.
- The intervention group exhibited lower absolute risk differences for GDM (−5.3%; 95% CI: −12.5 to 0.5; p = 0.07) and hydramnios (−4.5%; 95% CI: −11.0 to 2.0; p = 0.05) relative to controls.
- Among protocol-adherent women, GDM incidence was 0% compared to 7.3% in controls (risk difference −7.3%; 95% CI: −14.3 to 3.0; p = 0.09), while fetal macrosomia occurred in 0% of adherent participants versus 6.3% in controls (difference −6.3%; 95% CI: −13.1 to 4.5; p = 0.1).
- Women in the strength training group achieved a statistically significant improvement in overall quality of life scores (mean difference: 8.4; 95% CI: 4.9–11.9; p < 0.001) along with reported reductions in symptom frequency.
- No statistically significant differences in adverse events or preterm birth rates were observed between the intervention and control cohorts.
Strength exercises in pregnancy are very effective in improving quality of life and decreasing the general physical load of symptoms associated with pregnancy. Although there was no statistically significant decrease in the incidence of GDM in the intention-to-treat group, consistent protective tendencies with zero incidence rates of both GDM and macrosomia in the compliant group clearly indicate the possibility of prevention. The promising findings call for a larger study with sufficient power to confirm resistance exercise as a preventive measure of GDM.
Reference:
Santa Cruz TE, Sarasqueta C, Muruzábal JC, Sanz O. Strength training during pregnancy for the prevention of gestational diabetes: A randomized trial in women with overweight or obesity. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2026; 00: 1-10. doi:10.1111/aogs.70336
