Prospective Examination of Leisure-Time Exercise Behavior During Pregnancy

Physical activity, health-related quality of life and depression during pregnancy

“…Our results are generally consistent with previous research indicating a significant decline in time spent in total 16,19,20 and vigorous leisure physical activity and stable levels of moderate leisure physical activity from pre-pregnancy to pregnancy 6,19 . Similarly, Haakstad et al 6 have also documented a higher proportion of women with vigorous leisure physical activity pre-pregnancy compared to the first and second trimesters of pregnancy.…”

“…to the second trimester of pregnancy. This was not an unexpected finding as major changes in leisure physical activity have been noted when comparing the beginning and middle gestation with the end period of gestation 6,15,18,19,25,27 . In terms of work physical activity, we found no significant time differences or proportions during the studied period.…”

“…Evenson et al 17 found a lower prevalence of recommended physical activity among pregnant compared with non-pregnant women (15.8% vs. 26.1%) and Hausenblas & Downs 19 reported a linear decrease in exercise from pre-pregnancy to the third trimester of pregnancy (38.5% before pregnancy, 17% at first trimester, 14.1% at second and 7.5% at third trimester of pregnancy). The 1988 National Maternal and Infant Health Survey data (USA) analyzed by Leiferman & Evenson 9 and Zhang & Savitz 24 revealed that 48% of the 9,089 women studied retrospectively reported exercising regularly (3 or more times per week) before pregnancy and 41% during pregnancy.…”

“…Thus, pregnancy seems to have a differential impact on physical activity intensity and modes. A shift from high to light intensity physical activity throughout pregnancy is observed 15,18,19,27 , as well as an energy economy in occupational and leisure activities 18 .…”

“…Studies of physical activity patterns during pregnancy show a low prevalence of recommended activity levels 15,16,17 , as well as a decline of leisure physical activity/sports/exercise and occupational activity across gestation 6,15,16,18,19,20,21,22,23,24 . Even so, there is some evidence that household and childcare activities are maintained over the course of pregnancy 18,22 or increase in the third trimester 23 .…”