Effects of Exercise Interventions on Blood HbA1c and Lipid Concentrations in Healthy Pregnant Women-The FitMum RCT

Concentrations of maternal glucose and lipid during pregnancy affect both fetal growth and the risk of pregnancy complications. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of two different exercise interventions on maternal blood HbA1c and lipid concentrations. Healthy pregnant women (n=219) were enrolled in the study at gestational age ≤15+0 weeks and randomized 2:2:1 to supervised exercise sessions three times per week, to a motivational group having seven counselling sessions on physical activity, or to standard care. Venous blood samples were drawn at 6+4 to 15+0 weeks, at 28+0-6 weeks, at 34+0-6 weeks and at delivery. HbA1c, total cholesterol, LDL-C and triglyceride concentrations were measured by standard biochemical methods and compared within and between groups using constrained linear mixed models. No differences in HbA1c or lipid concentrations between the groups were detected (Figure 1). Overall, HbA1c decreased from ≤15+0 to 28+0-6 weeks (p<0.001) and increased from ≤15+0 to 34+0-6 weeks (p=0.032). Overall, total cholesterol, LDL-C and triglyceride concentrations increased throughout pregnancy (all p<0.001 for ≤15+0 weeks vs. 28+0-6 weeks, 34+0-6 weeks and delivery). Exercise interventions did not affect maternal HbA1c or lipid concentrations during pregnancy. The overall pattern of changes during pregnancy resembled findings from previous studies. Disclosure I.K.B.Jensen: None. B.Stallknecht: None. T.D.Clausen: None. E.Løkkegaard: None. C.B.Roland: None. S.P.Knudsen: None. A.D.Jessen: None. S.A.Alomairah: None. O.H.Mortensen: None. L.J.Friis-hansen: None. J.M.Bendix: None. S.Molsted: None.