PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of a home-based cycling program for women with a recent diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) on aerobic fitness, weight gain, self-reported mobility, attitude, and intentions toward maternal exercise, and obstetric and neonatal outcomes. METHODS: Forty women (mean +/- SD 28.8 +/- 0.9-wk gestation) were randomized to either a supervised, home-based exercise program, combining continuous steady-state and interval cycling at various intensities, in combination with unsupervised moderate intensity aerobic activity and conventional diabetic management (EX; n = 20) or to conventional management alone (CON; n = 20). The program began following diagnosis until week 34 of pregnancy (mean +/- SD duration of training 6 +/- 1 wk). RESULTS: Mean compliance to the training program was 96%. Maternal aerobic fitness, and attitude and intentions toward exercise were improved in response to the home-based exercise intervention compared with CON (p < 0.05). No differences were observed between the groups with respect to maternal weight gain or obstetric and neonatal outcomes (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: A home-based exercise program of 6 +/- 1 wk in duration commenced after diagnosis of GDM can improve aerobic fitness and attitude and intentions toward exercise, with no adverse effect on maternal and neonatal pregnancy outcomes.

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