The Effect of Online Supervised Exercise throughout Pregnancy on the Prevention of Gestational Diabetes in Healthy Pregnant Women during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Randomized Clinical Trial

(1) Background: to examine the effect of an online supervised exercise program during pregnancy on the prevention of GDM, and on maternal and childbirth outcomes. (2) Methods: we conducted a randomized clinical trial (NCT04563065) in 260 pregnant women without obstetric contraindications who were randomized into two study groups: intervention group (IG, N = 130) or control group (CG, N = 130). An online supervised exercise program was conducted from 8-10 to 38-39 weeks of pregnancy. (3) Results: no significant differences were found at baseline in maternal characteristics; nevertheless, certain outcomes showed a favorable trend towards the IG. A lower number and percentage of GDM cases were found in the IG compared to the CG (N = 5/4.9% vs. N = 17/16.8%, p = 0.006). Similarly, fewer cases of excessive maternal weight gain (N = 12/11.8% vs. N = 31/30.7%, p = 0.001) were found in the IG, and a lower percentage of instrumental deliveries (N = 8/11.3% vs. N = 13/15.1%) and c-sections (N = 7/9.9% vs. N = 20/23.3%, p = 0.046). (4) Conclusions: an online supervised exercise program can be a preventative tool for GDM in healthy pregnant women.

A Virtual Exercise Program throughout Pregnancy during the COVID-19 Pandemic Modifies Maternal Weight Gain, Smoking Habits and Birth Weight—Randomized Clinical Trial

The intrauterine environment is key to health from a short- and long-term perspective. Birth weight is an important indicator that may influence the fetal environment due to epigenetics. Considering physical inactivity, in parallel with higher levels of stress, affecting smoking patterns and the physical and emotional health of the pregnant population, maintaining the health of future generations is crucial. A randomized clinical trial (NCT04563065) was conducted. One-hundred and ninety-two healthy pregnant individuals were assigned to the intervention (IG) or control (CG) group. Overall, significant differences were found between groups when stratified by birth weight (χ2 (1) = 6.610; p = 0.037) with low birth weight and macrosomia found more often in the CG (4% vs. 14% and 3% vs. 9%, respectively) and higher admissions to the neonatal intensive care unit (χ2 (1) = 5.075; p = 0.024) in the CG (20/28.6%) compared to the IG (9/13.0). Smoking during pregnancy was also found more often in the CG (12/17.1%) compared to the IG (3/4.4%) (p = 0.016). A virtual program of supervised exercise throughout pregnancy during the ongoing pandemic could help to maintain adequate birth weights, modify maternal smoking habits, and lower admissions to the neonatal intensive care unit.

Exercise throughout Pregnancy Prevents Excessive Maternal Weight Gain during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Randomized Clinical Trial

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a virtual exercise program throughout pregnancy during the COVID-19 pandemic on maternal weight gain. A randomized clinical trial (NCT NCT04563065) was performed. In total, 300 pregnant individuals were assessed for eligibility, and a total of 157 were randomized, of which 79 were in the control group (CG), and 78 were in the intervention group (IG). Those in the intervention group participated in a virtual supervised exercise program throughout pregnancy, 3 days per week. Fewer pregnant participants exceeded the weight gain recommendations in the IG group than in the CG (n = 4/5.9% vs. n = 31/43.1%, p = 0.001). Weight gain during pregnancy was lower in the IG than in the CG (9.96 ± 3.27 kg vs. 12.48 ± 4.87 kg, p = 0.001). Analysis of subgroups based on pre-pregnancy body mass index, showed significant differences in excessive maternal weight gain between study groups in normal-weight (IG, n = 0/0% vs. CG, n = 10/25%, p = 0.001) and those with overweight (IG, n = 2/18% vs. CG, n = 12/60%, p = 0.025). A virtual supervised exercise program throughout pregnancy could be a clinical tool to manage maternal weight gain during the COVID-19 pandemic by controlling excessive gain.