Evaluation of Physical Activity Level and Related Factors in Pregnancy During the COVID-19 Period

Abstract

Objectives: It was aimed to determine the level of physical activity and related factors in pregnant women.Methods: The study is a mixed methods study. The participants are women applied to the pregnancy outpatient clinic of a hospital. The level of physical activity was assessed with the Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire. Sociodemographic questions and seven questions of the International Physical Activity Environment Module were asked. Besides, in-depth interviews were conducted with 14 women.Results: The study was conducted with 304 women. The median age was 29.0 (18.0–40.0) years. The mean total activity and sedentary activity scores were 195.8 ± 107.9 and 37.22 ± 31.08 MET-hours/week, respectively. Pregnant women were mostly involved in light-intensity and housework/caregiving activities. Most of the participants mentioned that they were less active than pre-pregnancy period. The most common reasons for being less active were weakness, fatigue, lack of time and complaints such as low back pain and nausea.Conclusion: More than half of the pregnant women mentioned that they were less active during pregnancy. Thus, interventions should be planned to increase physical activity level of pregnant women.