The effects of an exercise programme during pregnancy on health-related quality of life in pregnant women: a Norwegian randomised controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether a customised exercise programme influences pregnant women's psychological wellbeing and general health perception reflecting health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in late pregnancy.


METHODS
A two-armed, two-centred randomised controlled trial.


METHODS
Trondheim and Stavanger University Hospitals, Norway.


METHODS
A total of 855 healthy Caucasian pregnant women.


METHODS
The intervention group was offered a 12-week exercise programme between 20 and 36 weeks of pregnancy. One weekly group session was led by physiotherapists, in addition women were encouraged to follow a home exercise programme at least twice a week. The exercise programme followed standard recommendations and included both aerobic and strength training. The control group received regular antenatal care. Pretests and post-tests were performed at 18-22 and 32-36 weeks of pregnancy.


METHODS
In the original study primary outcome was gestational diabetes mellitus, but in this report the primary outcome is HRQoL. The questionnaire Psychological General Wellbeing Index (PGWBI) was used to assess psychological wellbeing and self-perceived general health before and after the intervention. PGWBI contains six subscales and it is also possible to summarise all items to a global score.


RESULTS
No association between antenatal exercise programme allocation and PGWBI (global score and subscales) was found. The study population was homogeneous and had high educational level.


CONCLUSIONS
The results indicate that offering women an exercise programme during pregnancy does not seem to influence healthy pregnant women's psychological wellbeing and self-perceived general health. Further research is needed to investigate the effects of exercise in pregnancy on psychological wellbeing and self-perceived general health among women from different sociocultural subgroups.


CONCLUSIONS
Exercise in pregnancy does not influence healthy pregnant women's health-related quality of life.
Department of Public Health and General Practice, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.|Trondheim University Hospital (St Olavs Hospital), Trondheim, Norway.
M K
MK
Gustafsson
Department of Public Health and General Practice, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.|Clinical Services, St Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway.
S N
SN
Stafne
Department of Public Health and General Practice, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.
P R
PR
Romundstad
Department of Public Health and General Practice, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.|Clinical Services, St Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway.
S
S
Mørkved
Department of Laboratory Medicine, Children's and Women's Health, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.|National Center for Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway.
Kå
K
Salvesen
Department of Public Health and General Practice, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.|Ageing and Health, Norwegian Centre for Research, Education and Service Development, Vestfold Hospital Trust, Tønsberg, Norway.
A-S
AS
Helvik
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D037841:Pregnant People / Q000523:psychology; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D011788:Quality of Life; D012649:Self Concept; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
Exercise; general health; health-related quality of life; pregnancy