title: Perceived benefits and barriers to leisure-time physical activity during pregnancy in previously inactive and active women.
abstract: This study compared perceived benefits and barriers to leisure-time physical activity during pregnancy among women who were insufficiently active or inactive before pregnancy. Eighty-two pregnant women completed questionnaires assessing leisure-time physical activity benefits/barriers, exercise self-efficacy, social support, depressed mood, pre-pregnancy and current physical activity and fatigue. Multivariable regression analyses identified factors associated with exercise benefits/barriers for the two pre-pregnancy leisure-time physical activity groups. Both pre-pregnancy leisure-time physical activity groups reported more benefits than barriers to exercise during pregnancy. Previously inactive women reported fewer perceived benefits and greater perceived barriers to leisure-time physical activity during pregnancy. Higher self-efficacy for exercise during pregnancy was significantly associated with greater benefits of leisure-time physical activity during pregnancy for both groups. Less family support for exercise and lower self-efficacy for exercise were significantly related to greater leisure-time physical activity barriers during pregnancy for previously inactive women. Lower self-efficacy for exercise, higher depressed mood scores, and younger age were associated with greater leisure-time physical activity barriers for active women. Findings suggest that the intensities of perceived leisure-time physical activity benefits and barriers during pregnancy differ for women, depending on their pre-pregnancy leisure-time physical activity status. Consideration of pre-pregnancy leisure-time physical activity status may thus be important when tailoring strategies to overcome barriers to promote initiation and maintenance of physical activity during pregnancy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, McGill University, Quebec, Canada. Deborah.DaCosta@mcgill.ca
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Da Costa
authors.forename: Kierla
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ireland
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities / Q000523:psychology*; D016015:Logistic Models; D009042:Motivation; D009043:Motor Activity; D010465:Perception; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000523:psychology*; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult