Abstract
Physical activity undertaken during pregnancy is well established to have a significant positive impact upon overall maternal health and birth outcomes. Despite this strong evidence, our knowledge of the level of physical activity undertaken by pregnant women and the perceived barriers and benefits of participating in exercise during pregnancy is poorly understood. Within this pilot investigation we determined the level of physical activity during pregnancy and their attitudes toward maternal exercise. Twelve gravid women (aged 34 ±4.6 y), at various stages of pregnancy (38.0 ±5.2wk) who attended the Royal Hospital for Women, Sydney, Australia, volunteered to take part in preliminary questionnaire through semi-instructed interview and complete a survey on their experience in physical activity prior to and during pregnancy. The investigation was approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee of the Royal Hospital for Woman, Randwick, Australia. Mean METs-h∙ wk-1 values of physical activity domains reported of (34.9MET-h∙wk-1). Occupational activity was the highest contribution to energy expenditure with 26.7MET-h.wk-1, whereas the lowest contribution was exercise accounted 0.7MET-h. wk-1. Participants reported light intensity (12.2MET-h.wk-1) as the highest level. Vigorous intensity was the lowest and more limited recorded 0.5MET-h.wk-1. A majority of women (60%) reported exercising regularly prior to pregnancy with five (5) of these women involved a structured physical training regimen prior to pregnancy. A majority of women (74.7%) reported walking was the most preferred activity during pregnancy. Levels of moderate- leisure activity (0.4 ±1.2 sessions∙wk-1, 0.7 ±2.3 hrs∙wk-1, 2.5METs-h∙wk-1) and strong-leisure activity (0.3 ±1.2 sessions∙wk-1, 0.5 ±1.7 hrs∙wk-1, 2.3METs-h∙wk-1) declined significantly (p<0.05). Improved well-being was perceived in half the participants as the most significant benefit they perceived from engaging in exercise. However, growing body size and tiredness was identified by five (5) and four (4) women respectively as significant barriers to participation in physical activity. Keywords: Physical Activity; Pregnancy; Barriers; Benefits