Pre-gravid physical activity and reduced risk of glucose intolerance in pregnancy: the role of insulin sensitivity

Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2009 Apr;70(4):615-22. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2265.2008.03393.x. Epub 2008 Sep 12.

Abstract

Objective: Pre-gravid physical activity has been associated with a reduced risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), although neither the types of exercise nor the physiologic mechanisms underlying this protective effect have been well-studied. Thus, we sought to study the relationships between types of pre-gravid physical activity and metabolic parameters in pregnancy, including glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity and beta-cell function.

Design/patients/measurements: A total of 851 women underwent a glucose challenge test (GCT) and a 3-h oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in late pregnancy, yielding four glucose tolerance groups: (i) GDM; (ii) gestational impaired glucose tolerance (GIGT); (iii) abnormal GCT with normal glucose tolerance on OGTT (abnormal GCT NGT); and (iv) normal GCT with NGT on OGTT (normal GCT NGT). Pre-gravid physical activity was assessed using the Baecke questionnaire, which measures (i) total physical activity and (ii) its three component domains: work, nonsport leisure-time, and vigorous/sports activity.

Results: Glucose tolerance status improved across increasing quartiles of pre-gravid total physical activity (P = 0.0244). Whereas neither work nor nonsport leisure-time activity differed between glucose tolerance groups, pre-gravid vigorous/sports activity was significantly higher in women with normal GCT NGT compared to women with (i) abnormal GCT NGT (P = 0.0018) (ii) GIGT (P = 0.0025), and (iii) GDM (P = 0.0044). In particular, vigorous/sports activity correlated with insulin sensitivity (measured by IS(OGTT)) (r = 0.21, P < 0.0001). Furthermore, on multiple linear regression analysis, pre-gravid vigorous/sports activity emerged as a significant independent predictor of IS(OGTT) in pregnancy (t = 4.97, P < 0.0001).

Conclusions: Pre-gravid vigorous/sports activity is associated with a reduced risk of glucose intolerance in pregnancy, an effect likely mediated by enhanced insulin sensitivity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Diabetes, Gestational / epidemiology
  • Diabetes, Gestational / physiopathology
  • Female
  • Glucose Intolerance / epidemiology*
  • Glucose Intolerance / physiopathology*
  • Glucose Tolerance Test
  • Homeostasis / physiology
  • Humans
  • Insulin Resistance / physiology*
  • Insulin-Secreting Cells / physiology
  • Linear Models
  • Motor Activity / physiology*
  • Pregnancy / physiology*
  • Pregnancy Complications / epidemiology
  • Pregnancy Complications / physiopathology
  • Risk Factors

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