Physical activity (PA) is beneficial to maternal, fetal and neonatal health. The World Health Organization and the French National Authority for Health have issued recommendations on PA for pregnant women. The aim of this study was to describe the PA of pregnant women during physiological pregnancies in the Lyon area.

A retrospective descriptive multicenter observational study using self-administered questionnaires was conducted in the Lyon area between November 2021 and February 2022.

Ten of the twelve maternity units in the perinatal network selected at random agreed to act as investigators. One hundred and fifty-three questionnaires were distributed, 102 of which were usable. Sporting activities (SA) were practiced by 64% of participants before pregnancy and 44% during pregnancy: 36% in the first trimester, 32% in the second trimester and 28% in the third trimester. Walking and hiking were the most popular sports activities, regardless of pregnancy trimester. Physical activity was mainly a leisure activity, carried out alone and outdoors. The average SA session during pregnancy lasted 64 minutes. Internet or mobile applications were often or systematically used by 40% of pregnant women as part of their SA. The car was the most frequently cited means of transport for daily commuting. Seventy-six percent of women had held a job during their pregnancy. Job-related PA was considered intense by 27% of pregnant women. Domestic chores accounted for around 7 hours a week during pregnancy. Among all PA, those related to professional and domestic activities seemed to be prioritized at the expense of leisure activities. Large-scale national studies are needed to evaluate strategies for promoting safe prenatal PA among pregnant women.