Abstract
Background: Healthy women who participating in physical activity prior to pregnancy can safely continue to exercise during and after pregnancy. Exercise during pregnancy is associated with minimal risk and have indicated benefits such as reduce birth complication and enhance quality after pregnancy. The aim of this study is to identify the level of physical activity before, during and after pregnancy and to investigate the changes of physical activity before, during and after pregnancy.
Methods: This study was designed to examine level ofphysical activity before, during pregnancy and after pregnancy. Pregnant women required to self-report their level of physical activity prior to during first, second and third trimester and after pregnancy. This study also examined the changes of physical activity before, during each trimester and after birth. Active Australian Survey was utilised to report level of physical activity. Approximately 200 healthy pregnant women were recruited from the Royal Hospital for Women, Randwick, Sydney and Wollongong Hospital, Wollongong, NSW, Australia. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics; one way repeated-measures ANOVA was conducted to evaluate the changes in physical activity.
Results: Level of physical activity was higher prior pregnancy compared with different points during pregnancy; however, significantly increased after pregnancy. Walking quickly recorded the highest level of activity and the largest contribution to energy expenditure across all stages of the study.
Conclusion: Healthy women can maintain moderate physical activity during pregnancy. Investigate reasons for reduction of level of physical activity during pregnancy are required.
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