Impact of physical activity on course and outcome of pregnancy from pre- to postnatal

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the levels of physical activity during the third trimester of pregnancy, life satisfaction and stress in women in late pregnancy and early postpartum. Methods: The study was conducted among 740 patients of maternity wards in Cracow hospitals on days 1–8 postpartum. Patients who were surveyed before the pandemic (December 2019–March 2020) were included in the prepandemic group (PPan: n = 252). The second group of women (COVID 1 group, Cov1: n = 262) was examined in the early stages of the pandemic (May–September 2020). In turn, participants who were surveyed during the population vaccination campaign (June–September 2021) were qualified to the COVID 2 group (Cov2: n = 226). The research tools used were the original questionnaire in addition to standardized questionnaires assessing physical activity in the last trimester of pregnancy (the Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire); previous life satisfaction (the Satisfaction with Life Scale); and stress levels during the last month (the Perceived Stress Scale). Results: During the pandemic, women reduced the level of energy spent on total physical activity; nevertheless, statistically significant differences were found only between the PPan and Cov2 groups (p = 0.001). At the early stages of the pandemic, patients significantly reduced mobility activities (Cov1 vs. PPan: p < 0.001; Cov1 vs. Cov2: p = 0.007), while late in the pandemic they spent less energy on household activities (Cov2 vs. PPan: p = 0.002, Cov2 vs. Cov1: p = 0.002). There were no differences in the levels of stress and life satisfaction. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic impacted the level of physical activity; however, it did not change levels of perceived stress and life satisfaction in women in late-stage pregnancy and in the early puerperium.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The COVID-19 Pandemic and Levels of Physical Activity in the Last Trimester, Life Satisfaction and Perceived Stress in Late Pregnancy and in the Early Puerperium

Kołomańska-Bogucka

Micek

Mazur-Biały

2022

“…Moreover, nonpregnant nulliparous women had a significantly lower HBL and significantly lower perceived susceptibility, severity, benefits, and barriers scores than pregnant women, which aligns with our hypothesis. They had lower awareness of the hazards associated with inactivity, which may lead to prenatal physical inactivity, harming their health and that of their unborn children or causing illness when they become pregnant [ 6 ]. Janakiraman et al [ 28 ] discovered that women who were educated about the advantages and hazards of PA, the dangers of inactivity, and various exercise methods exhibited more favorable attitudes toward PPA.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The maternal advantages of exercise include increased fitness; avoidance of excessive pregnancy weight gain, weight retention, and possibly obesity, gestational diabetes, hypertension, and maternal depression [ 5 ]; and a decrease in cesarean-section rates [ 4 ]. Maternal exercise is also related to healthy birth weight and the prevention of chronic illness in children [ 6 ]. Recent studies have shown that maternal physical activity (PA) plays a positive role in the modulation of the progeny’s phenotype, giving the offspring improved health potential [ 3 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Pregnancy Activity Levels and Impediments in the Era of COVID-19 Based on the Health Belief Model: A Cross-Sectional Study

Szumilewicz

2022

Physical activity (PA) and exercise benefit both the mother and the fetus. Many pregnant women avoid or severely limit PA, leading to complications before and after delivery. This study elucidated the precise effect of each moderator variable on prenatal physical activity (PPA) by examining demographic factors, the PPA-related health belief level (HBL), and the current PPA level. The health belief model (HBM) in conjunction with the international prenatal physical activity questionnaire was used. The HBL in pregnant parous women (PPW) (3.42) was significantly higher than that in nonpregnant nulliparous women (NNW) (3.06). The PPA level in pregnant nulliparous women (PNW) (5.67 metabolic equivalent-hours per week (MET-h/week)) was lower than in the PPW (6.01 MET-h/week). All HBM dimensions (except for perceived barriers) were positively correlated with exercise expenditure in both PNW and PPW. According to the regression tree, participants in PNW aged ≤ 23 years with annual household incomes > CNY 100,001–150,000 had the highest energy expenditure (10.75 MET-h/week), whereas participants in PPW with a perceived benefit score of >4 had the highest energy expenditure (10 MET-h/week). The results demonstrated that the HBL in all groups was acceptable, whereas the PPA level was lower than the recommended PA level. In both PPW and PNW, the HBL was most strongly correlated with exercise expenditure. There is an urgent need to organize public-interest courses to alleviate household expenditure, raise the HBL about PPA in pregnant and NNW, and ensure personal health in the context of COVID-19.

“…The benefits associated with physical activity during pregnancy for both maternal and new-born health are supported by research [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]. For example, regular physical activity during pregnancy has been linked to reduced risk of weight gain [ 5 ], hypertension [ 6 ], diabetes [ 5 , 6 ], back pain [ 7 ], mood disorders [ 8 , 9 ], large for gestational age [ 3 ], premature birth [ 3 ], and caesarean sections [ 2 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Relationship between Physical Activity and the Metabolic, Inflammatory Axis in Pregnant Participants

Bockler¹,

Ferrari

Deibert³

et al. 2021

Self Cite

Physical activity (PA) during pregnancy is beneficial for mother and child. Little is known regarding the effects of PA on specific adipokines/myokines and their impact during pregnancy. This study investigates the correlation between PA during late pregnancy, body composition, and maternal levels of leptin, IL-6, and TNF-α at delivery. In a cross-sectional study of 91 pregnant participants (mean age 33.9 ± 4.6 years) without gestational diabetes mellitus or preeclampsia, anthropometric data and blood samples were taken at delivery. PA during the third trimester was measured via the Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire. Activities were ranked by intensity: sedentary (<1.5 metabolic equivalent (METs)), light (1.5–3.0 METs), moderate (3.0–6.0 METs), and vigorous activity (>6.0 METs). Leptin at delivery correlated positively with body composition and negatively with light PA intensity. Sedentary behaviour showed a positive correlation with IL-6 levels at delivery. Moderate activity during the last trimester, sedentary activity levels, and body composition had the greatest influence on maternal IL-6 at delivery. Completed weeks of pregnancy, moderate and light PA, and sedentary activity had the greatest influence on maternal TNF-α at delivery. PA during late pregnancy potentially affects circulating (adipo-)/myokines. Further studies are needed to examine causal relationships and the impact on maternal and new-born health.