Women's perceptions of maternal and fetal health benefits of physical activity during pregnancy and what factors impact them—A cross-sectional study

IF 2.6 3区医学 Q1 NURSING

Midwifery Pub Date : 2025-03-05 DOI:10.1016/j.midw.2025.104363

Alexander F. Mahen , Annalise O. Wihongi , Christopher P. Connolly

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Abstract

Background

Despite the WHO and ACOG's recommendations for at least 150 min of weekly moderate-intensity physical activity during pregnancy, adherence remains low, partly due to concerns about safety and efficacy of specific exercise modalities.

Objective

To evaluate pregnant women's outcome expectancy for maternal and fetal health regarding specific physical activity modalities and the influence of healthcare provider discussions on these perceptions.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey, distributed through Qualtrics (a platform to help design and distribute surveys) and word of mouth of 507 pregnant women assessed perceptions of moderate, vigorous, and resistance activities. Provider discussions and past adverse pregnancy experiences were likewise examined for their influence on outcome expectancy.

Results

Walking and yoga were perceived as the most beneficial modalities for both maternal and fetal health, with the outcome expectancies being 9.5 ± 2.1 and 8.8 ± 2.9 for maternal health and 9.0 ± 2.5 and 8.2 ± 3.0 for fetal health. Higher intensity and resistance activities were viewed less favorably, especially CrossFit® resistance training with outcome expectancies being 5.2 ± 3.4 for maternal health and 4.8 ± 3.3 for fetal health. All physical activities were viewed as more beneficial for maternal health than fetal health. Discussions with healthcare providers occurred in over 70 % of cases but did not generally relate to these perceptions. Past adverse pregnancy experiences were not related to statistically significant changes in outcome expectancy. Previously being prescribed bed rest had some weak associations with greater maternal and fetal outcome expectancy for a few physical activity modalities.

Conclusions

Pregnant women's perceptions of health benefits clearly differ based on modality of activity and dependent on whether maternal or fetal health. Targeted communication strategies from healthcare providers and public health efforts are needed to improve perceptions of physical activity during pregnancy, especially for vigorous and resistance activities.

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背景尽管世界卫生组织（WHO）和美国妇产科协会（ACOG）建议孕妇在怀孕期间每周至少进行 150 分钟中等强度的体育锻炼，但孕妇的坚持率仍然很低，部分原因是担心特定锻炼方式的安全性和有效性。方法通过 Qualtrics（一个帮助设计和分发调查问卷的平台）和口碑对 507 名孕妇进行横断面调查，评估她们对中等强度、剧烈和阻力活动的看法。结果散步和瑜伽被认为是对母体和胎儿健康最有益的方式，对母体健康的预期结果分别为 9.5 ± 2.1 和 8.8 ± 2.9，对胎儿健康的预期结果分别为 9.0 ± 2.5 和 8.2 ± 3.0。对高强度和阻力活动的评价较低，尤其是 CrossFit® 阻力训练，对产妇健康的预期结果为 5.2 ± 3.4，对胎儿健康的预期结果为 4.8 ± 3.3。所有体育活动对孕产妇健康的益处都大于对胎儿健康的益处。与医疗保健提供者进行讨论的比例超过 70%，但一般与这些看法无关。过去的不良妊娠经历与预期结果的统计意义上的变化无关。结论孕妇对健康益处的看法显然因活动方式而异，也取决于孕妇或胎儿的健康状况。医疗保健提供者和公共卫生机构需要采取有针对性的沟通策略，以改善孕期对体育锻炼的看法，尤其是对剧烈运动和阻力运动的看法。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Midwifery 医学-护理

CiteScore

4.50

自引率

7.40%

发文量

221

审稿时长

13.4 weeks

期刊介绍： Midwifery publishes the latest peer reviewed international research to inform the safety, quality, outcomes and experiences of pregnancy, birth and maternity care for childbearing women, their babies and families. The journal’s publications support midwives and maternity care providers to explore and develop their knowledge, skills and attitudes informed by best available evidence. Midwifery provides an international, interdisciplinary forum for the publication, dissemination and discussion of advances in evidence, controversies and current research, and promotes continuing education through publication of systematic and other scholarly reviews and updates. Midwifery articles cover the cultural, clinical, psycho-social, sociological, epidemiological, education, managerial, workforce, organizational and technological areas of practice in preconception, maternal and infant care. The journal welcomes the highest quality scholarly research that employs rigorous methodology. Midwifery is a leading international journal in midwifery and maternal health with a current impact factor of 1.861 (© Thomson Reuters Journal Citation Reports 2016) and employs a double-blind peer review process.