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Measuring physical activity during pregnancy.

Glenda Lindseth¹, Patty Vari

¹University of North Dakota, College of Nursing, USA.

Western Journal of Nursing Research

|September 15, 2005

Summary

This study found that a self-report exercise diary is a useful tool for measuring physical activity in pregnant women, correlating well with pedometer data. This supports its use in clinical settings for assessing exercise during pregnancy.

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Area of Science:

Obstetrics and Gynecology
Sports Medicine
Public Health

Background:

Accurate measurement of physical activity during pregnancy is crucial for maternal and fetal health.
Existing self-report measures for physical activity in pregnant populations are limited.
Understanding factors influencing physical activity levels in pregnant women is essential.

Purpose of the Study:

To compare the validity of a self-report exercise diary against pedometer measurements for assessing physical activity in pregnant women.
To determine the utility of self-report exercise diaries as a practical tool for measuring physical activity during pregnancy.
To explore relationships between sleep, parity, and demographic factors with physical activity levels.

Main Methods:

A sample of 94 pregnant women (ages 18-38) in the Midwestern U.S. participated.
Participants wore a pedometer for 6 consecutive days (3 days at 14 weeks, 3 days at 28 weeks gestation).
Simultaneously, participants maintained a daily exercise diary recording minutes of physical activity.

Main Results:

A significant positive correlation (r = .49, p = .02) was observed between pedometer-measured physical activity and self-reported exercise minutes.
No significant differences in physical activity, by either method, were found across different occupational categories.
Sleep, parity, and demographic factors were analyzed for their relationship to physical activity measures.

Conclusions:

The self-report exercise diary is a valid and useful tool for assessing physical activity in pregnant women.
This method offers a practical alternative or supplement to objective measures like pedometers in research and clinical practice.
Further research can explore the influence of other factors on physical activity levels throughout pregnancy.

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