The ‘new normal’ includes online prenatal exercise: Exploring pregnant women’s experiences during the pandemic and the role of virtual group fitness on maternal mental health

Abstract

Background: Prenatal anxiety and depressive symptoms have significantly increased since the onset of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Furthermore, home confinement regulations have caused a drastic increase in time spent sedentary. Online group fitness classes may be an effective strategy that can increase maternal physical activity and improve mental health outcomes by providing an opportunity for social connectedness. The present study explores the experiences of pregnant women who participated in an online group exercise program during the pandemic and identifies relationships with maternal mental health and well-being. In addition, we present person-informed recommendations on how to improve the delivery of future online prenatal exercise programs.Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with pregnant women (8-39 weeks of pregnancy) who participated in an online group exercise program, from March to October 2020 in Spain. A phenomenological approach was taken, and open-ended questions were asked to understand women’s experiences throughout the pandemic and the role the online exercise classes may have had on their physical activity levels, mental health, and other health behaviours such as diet. A thematic analysis was performed to evaluate data. In addition, women completed the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and these data supplemented qualitative findings. Results: Twenty-four women were interviewed, and the average STAI score was 32.23 ± 9.31, ranging from low to moderate anxiety. Thematic analysis revealed that women felt safe exercising from home, an increased availability of time to schedule a structured exercise class, and consequently an improvement in their adherence to the program and other behaviours (i.e., healthier diet). Women emphasized feeling connected to other pregnant women when they exercised online together, and overall, this had a positive effect on their mental well-being. Women suggested that future online exercise programs should include flexible options, detailed instructions and facilitation by a qualified exercise professional.Conclusion: Pregnant women are receptive to online group exercise classes and expressed that these are an accessible option to accommodating physical activity during the pandemic. In addition, the online group environment provides an important sense of connectivity among pregnant women exercising together and this may mitigate the detrimental effect of COVID-19 on maternal mental health.

role of midwives in the application of classroom services for pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic period

“…The education provided is in the form of a WhatsApp group for media consultation. Prenatal classes conducted remotely based on technology can increase maternal knowledge and prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus (Sharma et al, 2020;Silva-Jose et al, 2022). The use of applications for this consultation media is constrained in societies that do not yet have internet and cell phones.…”

Prenatal Yoga Dalam Mengurangi Tingkat Stress di Masa Pandemi Covid-19

“…Diketahui bahwa aktivitas fisik dapat meningkatkan kesehatan mental pada ibu hamil (Novelia, 2019). Aktivitas fisik yang dilakukan setiap minggu selama pandemi COVID-19 memiliki depresi dan skor kecemasan yang lebih rendah dibandingkan ibu hamil yang tidak melakukan aktivitas fisik (Jose, 2021).…”

“…Yoga prenatal merupakan bentuk olahraga yang lebih lembut untuk mengimbanginya ketidaknyamanan dan perubahan fisik yang terjadi selama kehamilan (Jose, 2021). Latihan yoga secara teratur dapat menurunkan skor kecemasan pada ibu hamil selain itu dapat meningkatkan kesehatan fisik ibu sehingga mengurangi ketidaknyamanan yang dirasakan ibu selama kehamilan (Akarsu, 2018).…”

“…Stress selama kehamilan akan berdampak buruk terhadap proses persalinan, dan pemulihan pascapersalinan (Novelia, 2019). Kesehatan mental yang buruk selama kehamilan berdampak negatif pada perkembangan otak janin dan kesehatan masa kanak-kanak (Ekasari, 2021;Jose, 2021).…”

“…prenatal bermanfaat untuk peningkatan kesehatan mental jangka pendek dan jangka Panjang (Nadholtaa, 2020). Gerakan dalam yoga mencakup kombinasi dari latihan postur fisik dan spiritual yang bertujuan untuk membuat tubuh rileks, menjadikan tubuh dan pikiran menjadi tenang dan nyaman sehingga ibu terhindar dari stress (Jose, 2021;Akarsu, 2018).…”