(175) Physical activity guidelines are infrequently met during pregnancy, regardless of SPTB history or antepartum hospitalization

National guidelines recommend pregnant persons obtain ≥ 150 min of ≥moderate intensity activity/week (~7,000-10,000 steps/day). We sought to quantify physical activity to assess adherence to recommended guidelines among pregnant outpatients (outpt) with and without a prior SPTB, and those cared for inpatient (inpt) on the antepartum unit.

Study Design:

Analysis of 2 prospective observational cohorts. In study #1 (outpt), patients were recruited from OB clinics, 9-13 wks; most had a prior SPTB < 35 wks; a subset had ≥1 prior term delivery. In study #2 (inpt), patients were recruited while admitted to antepartum, 20-33 wks. P</span>hysical activity was quantified using study-provided FitBit activity trackers throughout pregnancy (study #1) or while inpt and undelivered (study #2). Subjects were instructed to maintain ‘usual activity.’  Those with ≥7 valid study days (FitBit recorded heart rate for ≥80% of the day) were included. The primary outcomes were the % of days each participant (a) took ≥7,000 steps/day; (b) had ≥ 21 minutes of ≥ moderate activity. Secondary outcomes were the % of days each participant took ≥ 3000, 5000, and 9000 steps. Data were analyzed by ANOVA, chi2, and t-test.

 

Results:

201 patients met inclusion criteria, including 131 outpts (32 prior term birth, 99 prior PTB; median 63 days of monitoring) and 70 inpts (median 14 days of monitoring).  There were 11,914 Fitbit wear days. 73/201 (36%) patients had no days with ≥ 7,000 steps recorded (14 outpts, 59 inpts). Inpts had a median of zero FitBit monitoring days with ≥ 7000 steps; only 11/70 inpts had ≥ 1 FitBit day with ≥7000 steps. Outpts with a hx of SPTB achieved each step threshold less frequently than outpts with only prior term births (Figure).  Similarly, outpts with a hx of SPTB achieved ≥ 21 minutes of ≥ moderate activity a median of 5.3% of days (vs. 9.6% for those with only prior term deliveries, and 0% for inpts).

Conclusion: Pregnant persons infrequently achieve recommended national physical activity goals. Activity levels are lower in individuals with a prior SPTB, and lowest in those hospitalized on the antepartum service.