Associations Between Free-living Stair Use in Pregnancy and Maternal Metabolic Health
Disciplines
Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases | Obstetrics and Gynecology | Preventive Medicine
Abstract (300 words maximum)
Gestational diabetes (GDM) is a serious condition, affecting up to 12% of pregnancies, and is associated with obesity and inactivity. During late pregnancy, women normally become insulin resistant and develop GDM, however physical activity has been shown to mitigate the onset of GDM. Stair climbing is a safe and effective aerobic exercise recommended for pregnant women. The purpose of this study is to test the hypothesis that free-living stair use in pregnancy is associated with insulin resistance. To perform this study, twenty-four participants (mean age = 27.2± 5.1; BMI = 30.85± 7.4) visited the KSU Exercise Science Physiology laboratory during each trimester of pregnancy. Survey questions were administered at Visit 1 (12-15 weeks) and Visit 2 (17-20 weeks) regarding frequency of using stairs versus elevator, the number of flights of stairs in the home, and average flights taken per day at home, work, and elsewhere. Homeostasis assessment model of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated from fasting glucose and insulin at both visits. HOMA-IR required log-transformation for normality. HOMA-IR at Visit 1 was associated with the self-reported frequency of stair use at home ( r= -0.571, p= 0.042), while HOMA-IR at Visit 2 was strongly associated with the number of flights of stairs within the home at both Visits 1 and 2 ( r = -0.896, p<0.001 and –0.885, p = 0.008). HOMA-IR was not associated with frequency of using stairs versus elevator (r = 0.302, p= 0.317), or questions regarding stair use outside of the home. Self-reported free-living use of stairs at home was strongly and negatively associated with gestational insulin resistance. These data underscore the importance of non-exercise physical activity in the maintenance of maternal metabolic health and suggest that activity should be encouraged for individuals who are pregnant.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
WCHHS - Exercise Science and Sport Management
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Katherine Ingram Ph.D.
Associations Between Free-living Stair Use in Pregnancy and Maternal Metabolic Health
Gestational diabetes (GDM) is a serious condition, affecting up to 12% of pregnancies, and is associated with obesity and inactivity. During late pregnancy, women normally become insulin resistant and develop GDM, however physical activity has been shown to mitigate the onset of GDM. Stair climbing is a safe and effective aerobic exercise recommended for pregnant women. The purpose of this study is to test the hypothesis that free-living stair use in pregnancy is associated with insulin resistance. To perform this study, twenty-four participants (mean age = 27.2± 5.1; BMI = 30.85± 7.4) visited the KSU Exercise Science Physiology laboratory during each trimester of pregnancy. Survey questions were administered at Visit 1 (12-15 weeks) and Visit 2 (17-20 weeks) regarding frequency of using stairs versus elevator, the number of flights of stairs in the home, and average flights taken per day at home, work, and elsewhere. Homeostasis assessment model of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated from fasting glucose and insulin at both visits. HOMA-IR required log-transformation for normality. HOMA-IR at Visit 1 was associated with the self-reported frequency of stair use at home ( r= -0.571, p= 0.042), while HOMA-IR at Visit 2 was strongly associated with the number of flights of stairs within the home at both Visits 1 and 2 ( r = -0.896, p<0.001 and –0.885, p = 0.008). HOMA-IR was not associated with frequency of using stairs versus elevator (r = 0.302, p= 0.317), or questions regarding stair use outside of the home. Self-reported free-living use of stairs at home was strongly and negatively associated with gestational insulin resistance. These data underscore the importance of non-exercise physical activity in the maintenance of maternal metabolic health and suggest that activity should be encouraged for individuals who are pregnant.