The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on physical activity and sedentary behavior during pregnancy: a prospective study

Abstract

Background Prior studies evaluating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on pregnancy physical activity (PA) have largely been limited to internet-based surveys not validated for use in pregnancy. Methods This study used data from the Pregnancy PA Questionnaire Validation study conducted from 2019–2021. A prospective cohort of 50 pregnant women completed the Pregnancy PA Questionnaire (PPAQ), validated for use in pregnancy, in early, mid, and late pregnancy and wore an ActiGraph GT3X-BT for seven days. COVID-19 impact was defined using a fixed date of onset (March 13, 2020) and a self-reported date. Multivariable linear mixed effects regression models adjusted for age, early pregnancy BMI, gestational age, and parity. Results Higher sedentary behavior (14.2 MET-hrs/wk, 95% CI: 2.3, 26.0) and household/caregiving PA (34.4 MET-hrs/wk, 95% CI: 8.5, 60.3 and 25.9 MET-hrs/wk, 95% CI: 0.9, 50.9) and lower locomotion (-8.0 h/wk, 95% CI: -15.7, -0.3) and occupational PA (-34.5 MET-hrs/wk, 95% CI: -61.9, -7.0 and -30.6 MET-hrs/wk, 95% CI: -51.4, -9.8) was observed in middle and late pregnancy, respectively, after COVID-19 vs. before. There was no impact on steps/day or meeting American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists guidelines. Conclusions Proactive approaches for the promotion of pregnancy PA during pandemic-related restrictions are critically needed.

Contactless exercise intervention in prenatal and postnatal period during COVID-19 lowers the risk of postpartum depression

“…However, after COVID-19, it has become difficult for women to exercise, and there is a significant lack of alternative methods for prenatal management 23 . In accordance with the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommendation of a minimum of 150 min of exercise per week during pregnancy and postpartum period 24 , Silva-Jose et al suggested that physical activity through virtual modalities could be a suitable alternative, especially in situations where physical activity may be restricted 25 .…”

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Level of Physical Activity, Emotional State, and Health Habits of Women in Late Pregnancy and Early Puerperium

“…Considering the above limitations, the pandemic clearly had a potentially significant impact on the lives of pregnant and postpartum women. There are already several studies examining the impact of the pandemic on the psychophysical health of pregnant women [6][7][8][9][10] and the postpartum period [11][12][13]. However, to our knowledge, there are currently no studies evaluating changes caused by the pandemic to the combined physical activity, emotional state, and general health behaviors in women during the perinatal period.…”