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JOINT INFLUENCE OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND QUALITY OF SLEEP ON PREGNANCY-RELATED ANXIETY

Abstract

E.K. Wilsie1, C.P. Connolly1, Z.W. Osborn1, M. Gartstein1, S. Waters1

1Washington State University, Pullman, WA; 1Washington State University, Vancouver, WA

Pregnancy-related anxiety (PRA) is experienced by many women, given the physical and psychosocial challenges common during pregnancy and the prospect of childbirth. Some health behaviors, such as physical activity and quality of sleep (QS), are related to decreased PRA, but their joint influence is unclear. PURPOSE: We examined the individual and joint influences of physical activity behaviors and QS on PRA among pregnant women at two locations. METHODS: Third-trimester pregnant women (N=33) participated in a series of measurements between 28-36 weeks gestational age. Participants answered questions recalling their moderate and vigorous physical activity (min/wk) for prepregnancy, in the first and second trimesters, and concurrently. Moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was calculated for prepregnancy and for each trimester. Participants also wore a validated physical activity monitor (Modus StepWatch) for one week, and average steps/day were calculated. QS was evaluated with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), calculating a global score. The Pregnancy Related Anxiety Questionnaire (PRAQ-R) was used to assess women’s anxiety regarding childbirth and the health of the baby. Median split was used to categorize PRA as “high” [≥15.0 PRA scale] or “low” [RESULTS: Mann-Whitney U-tests showed lower PRA participants had significantly superior third trimester global QS scores [p=0.048]. Likewise, global QS scores were related to increased odds of high PRA [β=1.34, 95% CI: 0.99-1.80]. Average steps/day and self-reported MVPA prior to pregnancy and at all pregnancy timepoints were not related to PRA. Hierarchical analyses did not reveal an interactive effect of steps/day and QS or MVPA and QS on PRA as hypothesized. CONCLUSION: Lower QS is related to higher PRA during the third trimester of pregnancy. Physical activity was not related to PRA and interactive effects with QS on PRA were not found. Larger samples are needed to confirm these findings.

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