Exercise throughout Pregnancy Prevents Excessive Maternal Weight Gain during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Randomized Clinical Trial

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a virtual exercise program throughout pregnancy during the COVID-19 pandemic on maternal weight gain. A randomized clinical trial (NCT NCT04563065) was performed. In total, 300 pregnant individuals were assessed for eligibility, and a total of 157 were randomized, of which 79 were in the control group (CG), and 78 were in the intervention group (IG). Those in the intervention group participated in a virtual supervised exercise program throughout pregnancy, 3 days per week. Fewer pregnant participants exceeded the weight gain recommendations in the IG group than in the CG (n = 4/5.9% vs. n = 31/43.1%, p = 0.001). Weight gain during pregnancy was lower in the IG than in the CG (9.96 +/- 3.27 kg vs. 12.48 +/- 4.87 kg, p = 0.001). Analysis of subgroups based on pre-pregnancy body mass index, showed significant differences in excessive maternal weight gain between study groups in normal-weight (IG, n = 0/0% vs. CG, n = 10/25%, p = 0.001) and those with overweight (IG, n = 2/18% vs. CG, n = 12/60%, p = 0.025). A virtual supervised exercise program throughout pregnancy could be a clinical tool to manage maternal weight gain during the COVID-19 pandemic by controlling excessive gain.

Automated summary

This study examined the effects of a virtual exercise program on maternal weight gain during pregnancy in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings showed that pregnant individuals in the intervention group had lower rates of excessive weight gain and overall lower weight gain compared to the control group. Subgroup analysis based on pre-pregnancy body mass index also revealed significant differences in weight gain between the two groups for normal-weight and overweight participants. These results suggest that a virtual exercise program can be a valuable tool for managing maternal weight gain during the pandemic.