Physical activity before and during pregnancy: A cohort study

To estimate physical activity (PA) in healthy women before and during pregnancy and to evaluate the features associated with moderate PA (MPA).

A prospective cohort study was conducted on women selected 14 weeks of pregnancy during 2013-2015 in primary public health service centers in southern Spain. Type, duration, and frequency of PA (IPAQ questionnaire in first, second, and third trimesters [T1, T2, T3]) were measured. Variables associated with MPA were evaluated using multiple logistic regressions controlling for age, pre-pregnancy obesity, level of education, number of living children, pre-pregnancy PA, and adherence to Mediterranean diet (AMD).

Out of 463 women, MPA was estimated in 64% pre-pregnancy, and 54%, 61%, and 59% in T1, T2, and T3, respectively. MPA was associated with greater AMD in T2 (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.17, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04-1.33) and T3 (aOR 1.16, 95% CI 1.02-1.31), previous PA (aOR 13.5, 95% CI 8.12-22.5 in T1; aOR 2.61, 95% CI 1.72-3.96 in T2; aOR 2.59, 95% CI 1.65-4.05 in T3), and pre-pregnancy obesity (aOR 2.97, 95% CI 1.28-6.89 in T1; aOR 2.69, 95% CI 1.23-3.60 in T3).

PA decreased at the beginning of pregnancy, but compliance remained over 50%. MPA was associated with diet, pre-pregnancy PA, and obesity.