The Exercise-Induced Irisin Is Associated with Improved Levels of Glucose Homeostasis Markers in Pregnant Women Participating in 8-Week Prenatal Group Fitness Program: A Pilot Study

Table 1

Characteristics of the study participants.

Variable at baseline	All pregnant women; (M ± SD)	Very active group^1; (M ± SD)	Less active group^2; (M ± SD)
Age, y	29 ± 3	29 ± 4	29 ± 3
Gestational age, wk	21 ± 3	22 ± 2	21 ± 3
BMI, kg⋅m^−2	22.5 ± 2.5	21.8 ± 3.0	23.0 ± 2.2
, ml⋅kg^−1⋅min^−1	23 ± 5.0	23.5 ± 6.6	22 ± 4.1
HR zones for exercise sessions
HR lower limit (b⋅min^−1)	121 ± 12	121 ± 15	121 ± 12
HR upper limit (b⋅min^−1)	143 ± 12	141 ± 15	145 ± 11

¹Participated in exercise sessions at least three times a week; ²physically active below recommendations, less than 3 times a week; BMI: body mass index; : maximal oxygen capacity; HR: heart rate.