Open Access

REVIEW

The Impact of Exercise during Pregnancy on Maternal and Offspring Outcomes in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

Sha Chen^1,#, Minkai Cao^1,#, Kerong Liu^2,*, Ying Gu^1,*

1 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wuxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214002, China
2 Department of Endocrinology, Affiliated Children’s Hospital of Jiangnan University Wuxi Children’s Hospital, Wuxi, 214023, China

* Corresponding Authors: Kerong Liu. Email: ; Ying Gu. Email:
# These authors contributed equally to this work

BIOCELL 2025, 49(2), 181-198. https://doi.org/10.32604/biocell.2025.058745

Received 19 September 2024; Accepted 11 December 2024; Issue published 28 February 2025

Abstract

The increasing prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is associated with an array of pregnancy complications and enduring health challenges in both mothers and their offspring. Studies have indicated that exposure to the intrauterine environment can prompt adaptations in the offspring, thereby programming transgenerational inheritance. Physical activity during pregnancy, as a non-pharmacological intervention, mitigates metabolic risks through epigenetic modifications, mediating placental adaptations, the action of exercise factors, and gut microbiota. Here, we provide a review summarizing how regular exercise can reduce the risk of GDM and positively influence pregnancy outcomes. It also discusses the exercise-induced reduction in obesity, insulin resistance, and fatty liver disease in the offspring of GDM, outlining the mechanisms that underpin these health benefits. This review underscores the importance of exercise in safeguarding the health of GDM mothers and their offspring.

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Keywords

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