Hypertensive disorders of pregcy (HDP) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are the most common medical complications in pregcy. Physical exercise is considered to be safe and beneficial during pregcy. Moreover, pregcy could be considered as an opportunity for healthcare providers to promote positive lifestyle behavior and optimize the well-being of pregt women. Since there are few up-to-date reviews evaluating the role of exercise and the risks of developing obstetrical complications, we performed a review to investigate the effects of physical activity and exercise during pregcy compared to a control group, focusing on the risk of development of HDP and GDM. We searched Medline and Web of Science, including only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and systematic reviews. This review supports a beneficial effect of exercise and provides evidence that it significantly decreases the risk of HDP and GDM.

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