RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN PREGNANCY PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY DISCUSSION WITH PRENATAL HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS

Authors

AK McMahon
CP Connolly
A Ede

Abstract

A.K. McMahon¹, C.P. Connolly², A. Ede³

¹Washington State University, Pullman, WA & ² Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI

Previous research has shown that pregnant women performing vigorous physical activity (PA) are more likely to have discussions about exercise with their health care providers (HCP), compared to those performing less intense PA. These relationships are in need of further exploration, particularly given specific exercise modalities have not been examined. PURPOSE: To 1) confirm the relationships between prenatal HCP PA discussion and both moderate and vigorous PA, as well as to 2) determine the relationships between PA discussion and participation in specific vigorous exercise modalities during pregnancy. METHODS: Pregnant women (N=498) completed an online survey, answering questions on PA discussion with prenatal HCPs and PA behavior. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine relationships between PA discussion and 1) meeting the current PA guideline, 2) participating in any vigorous PA and 3) participating in specific vigorous exercise modalities. These included: intense jogging, intense cycling, intense swimming, Zumba/aerobic dance, and weight lifting. Meeting the current pregnancy PA guideline was defined as moderate or vigorous PA ≥150 min/wk. Participation was defined as PA > 0 min/wk. RESULTS: Over 70% of participants (n=351) reported having discussed PA with their prenatal HCP. Discussion of PA was related to increased odds of vigorous PA participation (aOR=2.13, 95% CI: 1.12-3.77), but not for meeting the current PA guideline (aOR=1.51, 95% CI: 0.93-2.45). Women who discussed PA with their HCPs had significantly increased odds of participating in weight lifting exercises (aOR=1.98, 95% CI: 1.11-3.54), but not intense cycling, intense jogging, intense swimming, and Zumba/aerobic dance. Less than half (n=213) of the total sample specifically discussed the current PA guideline with HCPs. However, this was related to increased odds of participating in any vigorous PA (aOR=2.37, 95% CI: 1.45-3.88) AND also meeting the current PA guideline (aOR=2.29, 95% CI: 1.49-3.52). CONCLUSION: PA discussion between pregnant women and prenatal HCPs is related to vigorous LTPA participation and specifically to weight lifting. Incorporating the current pregnancy PA guideline into these discussions is related to pregnant women meeting that guideline.

Recommended Citation

McMahon, AK; Connolly, CP; and Ede, A (2016) "RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN PREGNANCY PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY DISCUSSION WITH PRENATAL HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS," International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 8: Iss. 4, Article 71.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol8/iss4/71