title: Evaluation of implementing a community-based exercise intervention during pregnancy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  to evaluate the implementation of a community-based exercise intervention (the Norwegian Fit for Delivery study) during pregnancy.
  
  
  METHODS
  descriptive, explorative.
  
  
  METHODS
  healthcare clinics in southern Norway, including urban and rural settings.
  
  
  METHODS
  healthy, nulliparous women with singleton pregnancy of ≤20 gestational weeks, age ≥18 years and body mass index ≥19kg/m2.
  
  
  METHODS
  women were randomised to either twice-weekly supervised exercise sessions combined with nutritional counselling (n=303) or standard prenatal care (n=303). The exercise program was based on ACOG guidelines, with the same low-impact workout for all participants, including 60minutes of moderate-intensity cardiovascular and strength training, performed in a group of maximum 25 women. The aim of the present secondary analysis was to report on the intervention group's experience with participating in an exercise program in the 2nd and 3rd trimester, including satisfaction, adherence, adverse effects, as well as motives and barriers for attending the classes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  of 303 women randomised to exercise, 274 (92.6%) attended at least one class and 187 (68.2%) completed a questionnaire after completion of the trial assessing their experience with the group sessions. For 71.7%, self-reported exercise dosage was ≥75% of the twice-weekly exercise program and more than seven out of 10 reported to be satisfied or very satisfied with the exercise sessions. A total of 95.1% answered that they would recommend this type of exercise for pregnant friends. Reported motives and health benefits included better aerobic capacity, increased energy levels and exercise enjoyment. No harmful effects of the exercise intervention were noted in the mother or the fetus.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  results demonstrated that regular group exercise was feasible, safe, and well tolerated in pregnancy, which may encourage incorporating this program into a routine health care setting.
authors.affiliation: Norwegian School of Sports Sciences, Department of Sports Medicine, Oslo, Norway. Electronic address: lahaakstad@nih.no.
authors.forename: Lene A H
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Haakstad
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Agder, Kristiansand and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sørlandet Hospital, Norway. Electronic address: birgitte.sanda@uia.no.
authors.forename: Birgitte
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sanda
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sørlandet Hospital, Kristiansand, Norway. Electronic address: ingvild.vistad@sshf.no.
authors.forename: Ingvild
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Vistad
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sørlandet Hospital, Kristiansand, Norway. Electronic address: linda.sagedal@sshf.no.
authors.forename: Linda Reme
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Sagedal
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Agder, Kristiansand, Norway. Electronic address: hilde.l.seiler@uia.no.
authors.forename: Hilde Lohne
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Seiler
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Agder, Kristiansand, Norway. Electronic address: monica.k.torstveit@uia.no.
authors.forename: Monica K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Torstveit
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009664:Norway; D018529:Nutritional Support / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D011247:Pregnancy; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D015397:Program Evaluation / Q000379:methods*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Adherence; Exercise; Feasibility; Pregnancy; RCT