•  
  •  
 

RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN PREFERENCE FOR PROXY ASSISTANCE AND SELF-EFFICACY FOR VARIOUS MODALITIES OF PREGNANCY PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

Abstract

R. Weller1, C. P. Connolly1 & A. Ede2

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

Self-efficacy (SE) has been shown repeatedly to predict physical activity (PA) among pregnant women. Low SE can impede participation in certain types of exercise. However, individuals with low SE may benefit from receiving help from fitness instructors or trainers with expertise to guide them. PURPOSE: We sought to investigate pregnant women’s preferences for an instructor-led approach (proxy assistance) compared to self-guided exercise for various modalities of pregnancy physical activity. For each modality, we also sought to determine the relationship between SE and preference for proxy assistance. METHODS: An online survey containing questions on beliefs, preferences, and behavior with respect to specific physical activity modalities was completed by 498 pregnant women. Exercise SE was assessed for each on an 11-point Likert scale. Additionally, participants reported whether they preferred the modality to be instructor-led, self-guided, or preferred not to participate in that exercise. Relative frequencies were calculated for these responses. Spearman correlations were calculated to examine relationships between SE and preference for proxy assistance for each modality. RESULTS: Brisk walking (90.4%) and prenatal yoga (64.9%) were the most preferred modalities. A self-guided approach was preferred over proxy assistance for a number of modalities, but most prominently for brisk walking (95.7%), light jogging (92.3%), and light swimming (91.4%). In contrast, participants preferred proxy assistance for prenatal yoga (66.1%), prenatal aerobic dance (74.4%), and CrossFit-type resistance exercises (75.6%). Significant inverse correlations (p < 0.05) were found between preference for assistance and SE for light jogging (r = -0.13), intense cycling (r = -0.19), light swimming (r = -0.11), intense swimming (r = -0.28), weight lifting (r = -0.23), resistance-band exercises (r = -0.22), and CrossFit-type exercises (r = -0.36). CONCLUSION: Preference for exercise to be instructor-led is inversely related to SE for a number of exercise modalities typically considered to be individual activities. Interventions seeking to increase pregnancy PA levels through these specific modalities should consider utilizing an instructor-based approach.

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS