Structured Antenatal Physical Activity and Gestational Weight Gain: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Smita Elizabeth Joseph; Muthupandi Sankar; Jagatheesan Alagesan; Prathap Suganthirababu; Annamma Thomas

doi:10.47310/jpms202515S0142

Author(s)

Smita Elizabeth Joseph Saveetha College of Physiotherapy, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai, India

Muthupandi Sankar Center for Global Health Research, Saveetha Medical College & Hospital, SIMATS, Chennai, India

Jagatheesan Alagesan Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, St Johns Medical College, Bangalore, India

Prathap Suganthirababu Saveetha College of Physiotherapy, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai, India

Annamma Thomas Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, St Johns Medical College, Bangalore, India

Abstract

Objective: To compare gestational weight gain between pregnant women receiving a structured antenatal physical activity program and those receiving standard antenatal care with routine daily activity. Methods: This parallel-group randomized controlled trial included 100 pregnant women with singleton pregnancies between 20 and 24 weeks of gestation. Participants were allocated equally to a structured physical activity group (n=50) or a routine activity group (n=50). The intervention comprised supervised low- to moderate-intensity exercise totalling 150 minutes per week from recruitment until delivery. Gestational weight gain was the primary outcome; gestational age at delivery and adverse maternal events were secondary outcomes. Results: All randomized participants were included in the final analysis. The structured physical activity group demonstrated significantly better regulation of gestational weight gain than the routine activity group (p<0.001). No exercise-related maternal complications or adverse neonatal events were reported during the study period. Conclusion: A structured, supervised antenatal exercise program may help regulate gestational weight gain without compromising maternal or neonatal safety. The findings support the inclusion of physiotherapist-guided exercise as an adjunct to routine antenatal care, although future studies should report detailed effect sizes, adherence, dietary monitoring and neonatal indicators.

Publication Details

Page(s) 226-229

DOI 10.47310/jpms202515S0142

Published Journal: Journal of Pioneering Medical Sciences, Volume: 15, Issue: s1, Year: 2026

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Keywords

Gestational weight gain, Randomized controlled trial, Pregnancy, Structured Physical Activity, Antenatal Exercise

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