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Adherence to physical activity guidelines in mid-pregnancy does not reduce sedentary time: an observational study
Diana R Di Fabio1,2, Courtney K Blomme3, Katie M Smith4,5
1Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Iowa State University, 220 MacKay Hall, Ames, Iowa, 50011, USA. diana.difabio@gmail.com.
Summary
Pregnant women spend most of their day in sedentary behavior (SB). Meeting physical activity (PA) guidelines in late pregnancy may reduce SB, highlighting the need for interventions promoting light and moderate PA.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Public Health
- Exercise Science
Background:
- Prenatal physical activity (PA) interventions often focus on moderate intensity with mixed results.
- Limited research has evaluated sleep, sedentary behavior (SB), light activity, or total daily PA during pregnancy.
- This study objectively quantifies habitual PA and SB across pregnancy trimesters.
Purpose of the Study:
- To objectively quantify and compare habitual physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) during the 2nd and 3rd trimesters of pregnancy.
- To evaluate differences in activity patterns between pregnant women meeting and not meeting PA guidelines.
- To assess changes in sleep, postural allocation, daily steps, and PA intensity between trimesters.
Main Methods:
- Prospective, longitudinal study involving 46 participants.
- Objective measurement of PA and SB using SenseWear Mini and activPAL monitors at weeks 18 and 35 of gestation.
- Comparison of sleep duration, postural allocation, daily steps, and PA levels between trimesters and adherence to PA guidelines.
Main Results:
- During pregnancy, women spent 52% of their day in SB, with significant decreases in light, vigorous, and moderate-to-vigorous PA from the 2nd to 3rd trimester.
- Only 37-39% of participants achieved recommended sleep durations (7-9 hours/night).
- While meeting PA guidelines in mid-pregnancy showed no difference in SB, adherence in late pregnancy was associated with significantly less SB.
Conclusions:
- Pregnant women predominantly engage in sedentary behavior (SB) throughout pregnancy.
- Reductions in overall physical activity (PA) during pregnancy are linked to increased SB and decreased light PA.
- Interventions should aim to reduce SB by promoting light and moderate PA, especially in later pregnancy.
