Playing sports during pregnancy lowers insulin levels and blood pressure. It therefore reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes and hypertension, with a beneficial effect on mother and child. This is revealed by a team of Norwegian scientists, who analyzed the answers to an exercise program for pregnant women.

The researchers carried out the exercise program between September 2010 and March 2015. In this time frame, 70 women were divided into two groups. The first, composed of 36 women, trained three times a week with 35 minutes of walking / running and 25 minutes of exercises. The second group, composed of 34 women, received standard prenatal care.

The women in the movement group had fewer problems in postpartum weight loss. They also showed lower levels of insulin and lower blood pressure, probably due to increased physical activity. The lower presence of insulin in the blood also lowered the risk of type 2 diabetes.

In the group that was dedicated to standard prenatal care, 3 women developed type 2 diabetes. In the second group, however, none had this problem. In addition, 46.4% of women continued to exercise even after giving birth.

Source: diabetes.co.uk