Clinical trial to assess the effect of physical exercise on endothelial function and insulin resistance in pregnant women.
BACKGROUND
Preeclampsia (PE) is a common maternal disease that complicates 5 to 10% of pregnancies and remains as the major cause of maternal and neonatal mortality. Cost-effective interventions aimed at preventing the development of preeclampsia are urgently needed. However, the pathogenesis of PE is not well known. Multiple mechanisms such as oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction and insulin resistance may contribute to its development. Regular aerobic exercise recovers endothelial function; improves insulin resistance and decreases oxidative stress. Therefore the purpose of this clinical trial is to determine the effect of regular aerobic exercise on endothelial function, on insulin resistance and on pregnancy outcome.


METHODS
64 pregnant women will be included in a blind, randomized clinical trial, and parallel assignment. The exercise group will do regular aerobic physical exercise: walking (10 minutes), aerobic exercise (30 minutes), stretching (10 minutes) and relaxation exercise (10 minutes) in three sessions per week. Control group will do the activities of daily living (bathing, dressing, eating, and walking) without counselling from a physical therapist.


BACKGROUND
NCT00741312.
Ramírez-Vélez
Robinson
R
Nutrición Group, Universidad del Valle, Calle 4B 36-00, San Fernando, Cali, Colombia. robin640@hotmail.com
Aguilar
Ana C
AC
Mosquera
Mildrey
M
Garcia
Ronald G
RG
Reyes
Laura M
LM
López-Jaramillo
Patricio
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001916:Brachial Artery / Q000502:physiology; D006152:Cyclic GMP / Q000097:blood; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000502:physiology*; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000097:blood; D011247:Pregnancy; D016037:Single-Blind Method
D009569:Nitric Oxide; D006152:Cyclic GMP