METABOLIC AND HORMONAL RESPONSES TO LOW-IMPACT AEROBIC DANCE DURING PREGNANCY

This study examined the plasma glucose, free fatty acids (NEFA), lacta te, triglyceride, cortisol, and insulin responses of pregnant women (2 2-28 wk) to a 40-min aerobic dance program and 40-min treadmill walkin g at similar heart rate intensities. The heart rates during exercise a veraged 135 +/- 5 bt . min(-1) for both trials. Immediate post-exercis e plasma glucose levels were lower than resting levels for both exerci se trials (P < 0.05), and remained below resting levels 20 min after e xercise. Plasma triglycerides and NEFA were increased immediately post -exercise (P < 0.05), and returned toward rest 20 min after exercise. The NEFA responses at the end of the walking trials were significantly greater than at the end of the aerobic dance trials (P < 0.05). For b oth trials, immediate post-exercise plasma insulin levels were below r esting levels (P < 0.05) and remained attenuated 20 min post-exercise. Plasma cortisol concentrations were unchanged throughout the aerobic dance trial. However, a mean increase of 105 nmol . l(-1) immediately post-exercise was evident during the walking trials (P < 0.05). The re sults suggest that 40 min of walking or aerobic dance reduces blood gl ucose but does not cause hypoglycemia. Further, the results suggest th at 40 min of walking or aerobic dance does not expose the mother to se rious metabolic consequences that might adversely affect the fetus.