The effect of a period of combined exercise training on gestational weight gain in overweight pregnant women

Abstract

Aims: Overweight or obese pregnant women are prone to excessive weight gain during pregnancy, which is closely related to the adverse consequences of pregnancy. This study was performed to investigate the effect of a period of combined exercise training on gestational weight gain in overweight pregnant women. Methods: This study is an experimental intervention (a randomized clinical trial) performed on overweight pregnant women referred to the prenatal clinic of Sarem Women's Hospital in the years 2019-2020. 25 pregnant women meeting inclusion criteria were selected and divided into two groups of exercise intervention (n=13) and control (n=12). Mothers in both groups were evaluated in person for weight, blood pressure and anthropometric characteristics at 16-18, 25-29 and 36-37 gestational weeks. The exercise program was performed from 16-18 to 36-37 gestational weeks. Data analysis was performed with SPSS software v.21. Findings: According to the results obtained based on linear regression analysis and considering of the effect of various factors along with exercise on gestational weight gain (such as age and BMI of the mother) weight gain of mothers in the exercise intervention group was significantly higher than the control group (10.53 ± 3.80 vs. 9.42± 2.93 kg). Conclusion: The higher weight gain of mothers in the exercise intervention group can be due to increase in muscle mass as a result of exercise. Because of the novelty of this study and the limited number of mothers under study, these findings require further studies with more participants in future.