ArticleBirth defects research2021
The effects of aerobic exercise on markers of maternal metabolism during pregnancy.
Article in Birth defects research, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Who cites it
4 citing papers in PubMed, 12 citations in OpenAlex.
- Maternal exercise alters placental proteome in an exercise mode-specific manner.American journal of physiology. Endocrinology and metabolism · 2025Trial
- Examining the Impact of Preconception Physical Activity on Offspring Outcomes Linked to Obesity.Current obesity reports · 2026Review
- The metabolic implications of maternal exercise: effects on pregnant women and their offspring.Frontiers in nutrition · 2026Review
- Effects of exercise during pregnancy on maternal and newborn outcomes.BMC pregnancy and childbirth · 2025Review
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Authors and funding
12 authors at 3 institutions in 2 countries.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundOptimal maternal metabolism during pregnancy is essential for healthy fetal growth and development. Chronic exercise is shown to positively affect metabolism, predominantly demonstrated in nonpregnant populations.
objectiveTo determine the effects of aerobic exercise on maternal metabolic biomarkers during pregnancy, with expected lower levels of glucose, insulin, and lipids among exercise-trained pregnant women.
methodsSecondary data analyses were performed using data from two, longitudinal prenatal exercise intervention studies (ENHANCED by MOM and GESTAFIT). Exercisers completed 150 min of weekly moderate-intensity exercise during pregnancy (24+ weeks) while nonexercisers attended stretching sessions. Pregnant women were 31-33 years of age, predominantly non-Hispanic white, and "normal weight" body mass index. At 16 and 36 weeks of gestation, fasting blood samples were collected via fingerstick and venipuncture. Maternal glucose, insulin, insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoproteins (LDL), high-density lipoproteins (HDL), and triglycerides (TG) were analyzed. ANCOVA analyses were performed to evaluate the effects of aerobic exercise on markers of maternal metabolism in late pregnancy, controlling for baseline levels.
resultsOur sample included 12 aerobic exercisers and 54 nonexercising control groups. Significant between-groups differences at 16 weeks of gestation were found for TG (92.3 vs. 121.2 mg/dl, p = .04), TC (186.8 vs. 219.6 mg/dl, p = .002), and LDL (104.1 vs. 128.8 mg/dl, p = .002). Aerobic-trained pregnant women exhibited lower insulin levels in late pregnancy (β = -2.6 μIU/ml, 95% CI:-4.2, -0.95, p = .002) and a reduced increase in insulin levels from 16 to 36 week of gestation (β = -2.3 μIU/ml, 95% CI: -4.4, -0.2, p = .034) compared with nonexercising pregnant women. No statistically significant effects were observed for maternal HOMA-IR, TC, LDL, HDL, TC:HDL, and TG in late pregnancy.
conclusionsThe observations of this study demonstrate that prenatal exercise may positively affect maternal insulin, with aerobic-trained pregnant women exhibiting lower insulin levels in late pregnancy. Additionally, we found no appreciable effects of prenatal exercise on maternal lipids in late pregnancy.
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