Strength training in pregnancy could help prevent gestational diabetes

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2026-08-19 17:01

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Pregnant women who do consistent strength training with light weights and/or resistance bands may be less likely to develop gestational diabetes, according to international researchers who say the training also likely improves physical and mental health during pregnancy. To build on limited evidence of the impact of exercise on the chances of developing gestational diabetes, the researchers recruited 209 pregnant women and randomised half to participate in a structured strength training program involving at-home and in-person weekly classes from the second trimester until nearly full-term, while the rest of the participants received standard prenatal care. The researchers say none of the participants who were assigned to the strength program and followed the training developed gestational diabetes compared to 6.3% of the control group. They say while their study has limitations, the strength training program was also linked to improvements in quality of life compared to the control group, meaning this type of exercise likely has benefits beyond potentially reducing gestational diabetes risk.

News release

From: Wiley

Various forms of physical exercise may help prevent diabetes during pregnancy (or gestational diabetes), but data are limited. In a randomized clinical trial published in Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica including 209 pregnant women, participants who followed a strength training program from gestational weeks 12–14 until week 36 or delivery had lower rates of gestational diabetes.

The incidence of gestational diabetes was 0% in participants who adhered to the strength training program versus 7.3% in the control group, and no cases of large birth weight were recorded in these participants, compared with 6.3% in the control group.

The strength training group showed significant improvements in quality of life and reported lower frequency and impact of pregnancy symptoms. No differences were observed in adverse events, including preterm birth.

“Our findings suggest that adherence to a structured strength training program during pregnancy may help reduce the risk of gestational diabetes while also improving maternal well-being,” said corresponding author Teresa E. Santa Cruz, MD, of Hospital Universitario Donostia, in San Sebastián, Spain. “Further research is needed to confirm these findings and to determine how strength training can best be incorporated into routine prenatal care.”

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Journal/
conference: Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: Hospital Universitario de Donostia, Spain, Paseo Beguiristain, Spain

Funder: NAVARRABIOMED

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