Examining Exercise-Related Cognitive Errors and Social Support for Physical Activity in Pregnancy

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Behavioral Science
• Public Health

Background:

• Physical activity during pregnancy is often hindered by worry about fetal health and insufficient social support.
• Exercise-related cognitive errors (ECEs) may independently impact physical activity and mediate the effects of social support and worry.
• Understanding these factors is crucial for promoting healthy physical activity levels in pregnant individuals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how maternal worry, social support (from family and friends), and ECEs interact to influence physical activity levels in pregnant individuals.
• To differentiate physical activity patterns across three levels: meeting guidelines, active but not meeting guidelines, and inactive.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 360 pregnant North American participants.
• Online questionnaires assessed prenatal physical activity, maternal worry, social support from friends and family, and ECEs.
• Participants' mean age was 27.96 years, and mean gestational age was 21.95 weeks.

Main Results:

• Social support from friends was linked to lower odds of inactivity and being active but not meeting guidelines, particularly when ECEs were moderate to high.
• Maternal worry was associated with higher odds of being active but not meeting guidelines when ECEs were low.
• The influence of social support and maternal worry on physical activity varied significantly with the level of ECEs.

Conclusions:

• The impact of social support and maternal worry on physical activity during pregnancy is contingent upon the individual's level of exercise-related cognitive errors.
• Interventions aimed at promoting physical activity should consider addressing ECEs alongside social support and worry management.