Resistance exercise decreases the need for insulin in overweight women with gestational diabetes mellitus.
OBJECTIVE
This study examines the effects of circuit-type resistance training on the need for insulin in women with gestational diabetes mellitus.


METHODS
Thirty-two patients with gestational diabetes mellitus were randomly assigned either to a group that was treated with diet alone or to a group that was treated with diet plus resistance exercise.


RESULTS
The number of women whose condition required insulin therapy was the same, regardless of treatment. However, a subgroup analysis that examined only overweight women (prepregnant body mass index, >25 kg/m(2)) showed a lower incidence of insulin use in the diet-plus-exercise group (P<.05). Women in the diet-plus-exercise group were prescribed less insulin (P<.05) and showed a longer delay from diagnosis to the initiation of insulin therapy (P<.05), compared with the diet-alone group.


CONCLUSIONS
Resistance exercise training may help to avoid insulin therapy for overweight women with gestational diabetes mellitus.
Brankston
Gabrielle N
GN
Perinatal Research Centre, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. gnb@ualberta.ca
Mitchell
B F
BF
Ryan
Edmond A
EA
Okun
Nanette B
NB
D000328:Adult; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016640:Diabetes, Gestational / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007328:Insulin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D009765:Obesity; D011247:Pregnancy; D014891:Weight Lifting
D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin