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Physical Activity Pattern during Pregnancy

Wednesday, 9 July 2008
Ching-Fang Lee, MSN , Department of Nursing, Oriental Institute of Technology, Taipei, Taiwan
Shu-shan Lin, MSN , Department of Nursing, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, Taipei, Taiwan

Learning Objective 1: understand physical activity pattern among pregnant women

Learning Objective 2: compare total physical activity, intensity of activity and types of activity among women in the first, second and trimester

Background: Participation in physical activity during pregnancy may reduce the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus and preeclampsia and prevent excess maternal weight gain. However, studies describe patterns of physical activity during pregnancy are sparse. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to compare total physical activity, intensity of activity (sedentary, light, moderate and vigorous) and types of activity (household/caregiving, occupational and sport/exercise) among women in the first, second and third trimesters.

Methods:A total of 108 women from the first(n=32), second(n=32), and third(n=44) trimesters were recruited in Northern Taiwan. The pregnant women completed the Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire (PPAQ).

Results: Total energy expenditure, sedentary and moderate intensity activity were similar among women in the first and second trimester, but not statistically significantly, lower among in the third trimester. Vigorous intensity activity was low among women in each trimester of pregnancy. In term of type activity, household/caregiving activity was significant lower among women in the first trimester compared with women in the last two trimesters of pregnancy (p<.01). Occupational activity was significant lower among women in the third trimester compared with women in first and second trimester (p<.05). Sport /exercise activity was higher in the third trimester, but not statistically significantly.

Conclusions: The third trimester group had lower physical activity in total energy expenditure, sedentary and moderate intensity activity, and occupational activity, whereas household/caregiving had significant higher.

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