Effects of aerobic vs combined aerobic and resistance exercise training on maternal glucose metabolism, sympathetic nervous system control and cardiovascular hemodynamics in women with overweight/obesity during pregnancy.

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to identify the effects of acute aerobic exercise combined with resistance exercise on maternal glucose metabolism and sympathetic nervous system-regulated cardiovascular function in overweight or obese pregnancies.

Material and methods: We conducted a randomized controlled trial of aerobic exercise combined with resistance training (aerobic + resistance; n = 25) compared with aerobic exercise (aerobic, n = 21) beginning at 16 wk and continuing until 36 wk of gestation in overweight or obese pregnant women. At preintervention and postintervention assessments, the glycometabolism, muscle sympathetic nervous system activity (MSNA) and cardiovascular parameters were measured and analyzed, containing fasting blood glucose (FBG), fasting blood insulin (FBI), 2 h glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), MSNA bursts/min, MSNA bursts/100 heartbeats, resting heart rate (HR); diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), systolic blood pressure (SBP), cardiac index (CI), cardiac output (CO), stroke volume (SV), total peripheral resistance (TPR) and total peripheral resistance index (TPRI).

Results: Compared to aerobic group, the overweight or obese pregnant women in aerobic + resistance group showed lower FBG, FBI, 2 h glucose, HbA1c and HOMA-IR (p < 0.05). Moreover, both MSNA bursts/min and MSNA burst/100 heartbeats level were reduced in aerobic + resistance group compared to aerobic group (p < 0.0001). Finally, the resting HR, DBP, SBP, MAP, CI, CO and TPRI were significantly decreased in aerobic + resistance group compared to aerobic group (p < 0.05).

Conclusions: In summary, aerobic exercise combined with resistance training was associated with improved glycometabolism, MSNA and cardiovascular function in overweight or obese pregnant women compared to aerobic exercise alone.