Types of Physical Activity Pre-Pregnancy Women Engage In

Abstract

Signature Honors Project 2024 East Carolina University

Types of Physical Activity Pre-Pregnancy Women Engage In

Aubrey C. VanWynsberg, Bhibha M. Das

Being physically active leads to a healthier lifestyle. However, there is a stigma that to be physically active, you must participate in vigorous workouts. Due to this stigma, many groups of people are driven away from physical activity, and a very prominent one is pregnant women. Physical activity is beneficial for pregnant women before, during, and after pregnancy. In fact, physical activity can also be beneficial for the fetus during pregnancy. Purpose: This study aimed to identify types of physical activities pre-pregnancy women engaged in, as well as physical activity recommendations for pregnant women during and postpartum. Methods: Existing data was analyzed to identify what types of physical activities were most frequent among women pre-pregnancy. Furthermore, existing literature was also reviewed to determine the benefits, risks, and recommendations of exercise before, during, and after pregnancy for the mother and the fetus. Results: A total of 425 participants from the Southeastern, rural United States self-reported physical activities using a questionnaire. Out of the participants, 76% were White, 19% were Black, 4% were Asian, and 1% were categorized as other. The average age of the participants was 30 ± 4.44 years old with an average pre-pregnancy BMI of 25.92 ± 4.91 kg/m2. The most common activities were moderate to high intensity as walking (21%) and jogging (15%) were the two highest activities among pre-pregnant women in the study. Furthermore, while walking and jogging were found to be common aerobic exercises, strength training was the third highest activity (13%). Literature suggests the continuation of these physical activities during pregnancy as they can help to counteract the emotional and physical side effects of pregnancy. For example, post-partum depression, anxiety, weight gain, gestational diabetes, birth complications, and fetal neurocognitive development. It was found that there is a lack of information on what types of physical activities are safe for pregnant women as well as a lack of education and prescription from healthcare providers. Conclusion: The majority of pre-pregnancy activities were moderate to high-intensity exercises with walking, jogging, and strength training being the most common. There are numerous benefits associated with physical activity before, during, and after pregnancy. Therefore, healthcare providers should recommend physical activities and prescribe exercises specific to the individual they are working with. Physical and emotional risks associated with pregnancy can be positively influenced by the type, duration, and frequency of exercise. Exercise can be catered to the individual’s needs such as those with a predisposition to pregnancy complications. Future research would compare what types of physical activities these women engage in during pregnancy as well as the benefits they experience.