A Longitudinal Study of Physical Activity to Improve Sleep Quality During Pregnancy

To explore the association between maternal physical activity (PA) and sleep quality during pregnancy, and the necessary PA level at different gestational stages to attain improved sleep quality.

A total of 2443 participants were recruited from the Shanghai Maternal-Child Pairs Cohort (Shanghai MCPC) study, who had completed questionnaires including the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) at gestational weeks (GW) of 12-16 and 32-36. PSQI scores and their seven components at the two GW were compared, as were PSQI scores at 12-16 and 32-36 GW and the increment in PSQI relative to PA. Regression analysis was conducted to assess the effect of PA and its change on the total PSQI score at different GW.

The mean PSQI scores increased significantly during pregnancy, from 6.30 ± 3.01 at 12-16 GW to 7.23 ± 3.47 at 32-36 GW. Compared with women in low PA level, moderate levels of PA at both 12-16 GW and 32-36 GW were significantly reduced PSQI scores of 0.42 (95% CI:-0.68,-0.16) and 0.32 (95% CI:-0.63,-0.01), respectively. At 32-36 GW, high PA level also significantly decreased PSQI score, with a greater decline than moderate PA level. (AOR=-0.87,95% CI:-1.57,-0.18). PA increment from 12-16 to 32-36 weeks of pregnancy created a significant decline of 0.54 in PSQI scores.

The study revealed sleep quality was worse at the third trimester and moderate PA level had the potential for improvement of sleep quality both in the first and the third trimester. High PA level was also beneficial to improve sleep quality of pregnant women in the third trimester.