Substrate utilization and hormonal responses to moderate intensity exercise during pregnancy and after delivery

Maternal Responses to Aerobic Exercise in Pregnancy

“…Interestingly, although FFA levels are higher in pregnant compared with nonpregnant women atrest,duringexerciseinlatepregnancythe increase in circulating levels of triglycerides and FFAs are similar between groups at low-to-moderate exercise intensities. 7,12,13,16 Although the majority of studies suggest that exercise elevates circulating lipids, studies concurrently measuring blood lipids and the respiratory exchange ratio (a measure of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism) do not observe a change in respiratory exchange ratio suggesting that lipid production during prenatal exercise may not be used for energy production. Further investigation of these adaptations is warranted.…”

“…Concurrently, circulating maternal glucose values typically decrease by 10% to 20% compared with prepregnancy. [5][6][7] These adaptations are further compounded by the fact that glucose uptake by the skeletal muscle decreases by 40% 8 resulting in a 50% to 70% decrease in insulin sensitivity. 9,10 The early and progressive rise in placental hormones promote the development of insulin resistance in pregnancy.…”

“…9,10 The early and progressive rise in placental hormones promote the development of insulin resistance in pregnancy. Progesterone promotes insulin secretion and decreases peripheral insulin sensitivity; estrogen elevates plasma cortisol that reduces maternal glucose uptake andfacilitates increasedcirculating triglycerides and free fatty acids (FFAs) 6,7 to aid in maternal energetic requirements. Human placental lactogen further increases lipid availability for maternal energetic use.…”

Exercise in pregnancy does not alter gestational weight gain, MCP‐1 or leptin in obese women

“…29 In this study, we saw a similar rise in maternal triglycerides, total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol over the course of pregnancy independent of intervention allocation. Exercise did not alter maternal lipid profiles.…”

Exercise during pregnancy. A narrative review asking: what do we know?

“…The exercise group returned better maternal glucose screen results (103.8±20.4 mg/dL) than the control group (126.9±29.5 mg/dL). Bessinger et al 40 examined substrate utilisation and hormonal responses to moderate-intensity exercise in a group of 12 women over gestation, measuring glucose, triglyceride, insulin, glucagon, cortisol, growth hormone and blood urea levels, as well as heart rate, VO 2 and the respiratory exchange ratio at rest and after exercise. Urine urea, urine volume and creatinine levels were also measured 24 h before and after exercise.…”