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 many develop GDM, however physical activity has been shown to mitigate the onset of GDM. PURPOSE: To test the hypothesis that free-living stair use in pregnancy is associated with insulin sensitivity. METHODS: 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. RESULTS: HOMA-IR at Visit 1 was associated with the self-reported frequency of stair use at home (r = -.571, p = .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 = -.896, p < .001 and -.885, p = .008). HOMA-IR was not associated with frequency of using stairs versus elevator (r = .302, p = .317), or questions regarding stair use outside of the home. CONCLUSION: 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. Supported by: Funding by NIH/NICHD 1R15HD102957 (PI: KH Ingram)