Prenatal Exercise and Glucose Regulation

Part of paid clinical trials in Conway, Arkansas.

Sponsor
University of Central Arkansas
Study ID
NCT07802262
Status
Recruiting
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Conditions

  • Gestational Diabetes Mellitus
  • Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in Pregnancy
  • Insulin Resistance

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
FEMALE
Age
18 Years - 35 Years
Healthy Volunteers
Accepted

Interventions

  • Acute exercises sessions with different exercise types and intensities — BEHAVIORAL
    During both RT sessions, participants will perform eight exercises that will target the whole body. Exercises will be performed using dumbbells at four sets of 10 repetitions, with one minute of rest between sets. The first set will be done with very light weight (warm-up). The next three sets will be the "working sets," done with a weight that will elicit the proper intensity. During AT, participants will use either a treadmill, bike, elliptical, or rower. Throughout the 45-minute session, every five minutes, the participant will report their RPE, and if they report low, speed will be increased by 0.1-0.5 mph until the proper intensity is achieved. Incline/resistance will not be used to modulate intensity, to ensure that there are no mechanical influences on AT that mimic the nature of RT.

Study Details

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is the most common disease during pregnancy and is characterized by an inability to regulate blood glucose (sugar) levels because of resistance to the hormone, insulin, which is responsible for getting glucose out of the blood. Aerobic training (AT, "cardio," for example: walking) is commonly used to regulate blood glucose levels in similar populations, like diabetics, but another form of exercise known as resistance training (RT, for example: weightlifting), has shown to be just as effective. Further, exercise intensity, regardless of the type, is directly proportional to blood glucose control. However, no study has compared AT and RT exercise modalities or intensity on blood glucose regulation in GDM, even though women with GDM share a similar insulin resistant phenotype as diabetics. Therefore, long-term objective of this study is to compare the effects of exercise type and intensity on glucose regulation and insulin sensitivity after four acute exercise sessions: low intensity RT (LOW-RT), low intensity AT (LOW-AT), moderate intensity RT (MOD-RT), moderate intensity AT (MOD-AT). Researchers will address the following aims: Specific Aim 1: Determine the impact of exercise type and intensity on glucose regulation using continuous glucose monitoring during- and for 24 hours after four acute exercise sessions: LOW-RT, LOW-AT, MODRT, and MOD-AT. Researchers hypothesize that RT and moderate intensity will elicit better glucose control compared to AT and low intensity, respectively. Specific Aim 2: Determine the impact of exercise type and intensity on insulin sensitivity by quantifying the quantitative insulin-sensitivity check index (QUICKI) before and after four acute exercise sessions: LOWRT, LOW-AT, MOD-RT, and MOD-AT. Researchers hypothesize that RT and moderate intensity will elicit greater insulin sensitivity compared to AT and low intensity, respectively.

Key Dates

First listed
Sep 3, 2026
Start date
Sep 24, 2024
Status verified
Jul 2026
Primary completion
Aug 31, 2027
Completion
Jan 31, 2028

Study Design

Enrollment
23 participants (estimated)
Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
TREATMENT

Arms

  • Other: Women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus
    Twenty-three women in the second to third trimester of pregnancy will be recruited for this study. Inclusion criteria will consist of: biological female, singleton (one fetus), 24-30-wks gestation, 18-35 yrs old, sedentary, and conception without the use of assisted fertility treatments. Exclusion criteria will consist of existing other metabolic disorders, currently taking medication or supplements that affect glucose metabolism, taking drugs, tobacco, or alcohol during pregnancy, having a contraindication to exercise.

Primary Outcome Measure

24-hour glucose regulation [ Time Frame: 24 hours ]

Central Contacts

Locations (1)

FacilityCityStateZIPSite coordinators
Human Performance Laboratory (HPL) at the University of Central ArkansasConwayArkansas72035
Brittany R Tucker, PhD
[email protected]
484-802-6852
Michael Gallagher, PhD
[email protected]
501-450-5706

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By research site
Human Performance Laboratory (HPL) at the University of Central Arkansas· Conway, AR

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