4.2. Limitations
GDM
GDM
First, the method of monitoring glucose control analysis may be limited in accuracy since it reports on interstitial blood glucose and may underestimate values if compared to direct finger poke blood samples. In line with this, we also cannot comment on pre-post exercise values since the CGM records data every 15 min. Additionally, daily 24 h glucose data are excluded from the first day of each condition to avoid including pre-stimulus values; however, this may bias the results towards a more effective intervention due to the chronic benefits and dose–response relationship of exercise. The study is also limited by evaluating only moderate-intensity exercise regarding postprandial glucose, and as such, our conclusions are exclusive to walking at this intensity only. Nonetheless, we prescribed as per current prenatal exercise guidelines to help manage blood glucose values. Future studies are necessary to explore other exercise intensities and, potentially, durations regarding postprandial glucose. Research is also needed to determine whether exercise timing could help prevent GDM, which would be clinically important for all pregnancies. Lastly, although the caloric and carbohydrate intake was similar across all conditions within each group, not implementing standardized meals could mean that some postprandial values were affected by dietary compositions.