Exercise guidelines for gestational diabetes mellitus

Table 5 Exercise guidelines for gestational diabetes mellitus

Type of exercise	Intensity	Duration	Frequency
Aerobic (large muscle activities in a rhythmic manner) e.g., walking, running, swimming and cycling	Moderate 60%-90% of APHRM RPE 12-14 Previously sedentary Owt/Ob should begin training at 20%-30% of APVO2R RPE 12-14 Vigorous RPE 14-16	≤ 30 min continuously (up to 45 min if self-paced)	No more than two consecutive days without exercising
Resistance (multi joint exercises, large muscle groups) e.g., dumbbells, resistance band and pregnancy Pilates	Moderate 50% 1RM 5-10 exercises 8-15 repetitions 1-2 sets	60 min	At least 2 but ideally 3 times a week

APHRM: Age predicted heart rate maximum; RPE: Rate of perceived exertion; Owt: Overweight; Ob: Obese; APVO₂R: Age predicted VO₂ reserve; RM: Repetition maximum.