title: Does the extended parallel process model fear appeal theory explain fears and barriers to prenatal physical activity?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Few studies have looked at the impact of fear on exercise behavior during pregnancy using a fear appeal theory. It is beneficial to understand how women receive the message of safe exercise during pregnancy and whether established guidelines have any influence on their decision to exercise. Using the extended parallel process model (EPPM), we explored women's fears about prenatal physical activity.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a prospective, cross-sectional study on the fears and barriers to prenatal exercise among a racially/ethnically diverse population of pregnant women. Participants were recruited from local prenatal clinics. Ninety females with a singleton pregnancy between 16 and 30 weeks gestation were enrolled in the study. The primary outcome measure was classification of risk behavior based on the EPPM theory.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Women who scored high on self-efficacy for exercising safely were more likely to exercise during pregnancy (adjusted odds ratio, 5.95; 95% CI, 1.39-25.39; P=.016) for at least 90 minutes per week. Participants who exercised at least 90 minutes per week during pregnancy scored higher on their perceived ability to control danger to the baby, as well as less susceptibility of harm and threat to baby of moderate exercise from prenatal exercise.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  More education and counseling on specific guidelines for safely exercising during pregnancy are needed. The EPPM framework has the potential to help improve health communications about exercise safety and guidelines between patients and health care professionals during pregnancy.
authors: Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita, Wichita, Kansas. Electronic address: mredmond@kumc.edu.
authors: Michelle L
authors: ML
authors: Redmond
authors: Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita, Wichita, Kansas.
authors: Fanglong
authors: F
authors: Dong
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita, Wichita, Kansas.
authors: Linda M
authors: LM
authors: Frazier
mesh_terms: D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D010465:Perception; D011247:Pregnancy; D037841:Pregnant People / Q000523:psychology*; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000592:standards; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012309:Risk-Taking; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors