(255) A prospective pilot study to investigate physical activity levels during pregnancy in an Irish cohort

Physical activity (PA) during pregnancy has been associated with decreased risks of adverse health outcomes for the pregnant woman and their babies. Attitudes toward and engagement in PA during pregnancy vary considerably among women and change pregnancy. Despite the health benefits for mothers and babies, considerable numbers of women fail to achieve the recommended levels of PA during pregnancy. The objective of this pilot study was to examine the level and types of PA participation during each trimester of pregnancy and whether research subjects meet ACOG guidelines of “moderate intensity exercise on most days of the week”.

Study Design:

Of 107 recruited prospectively, 90 low-risk women attending antenatal midwifery led clinics in a tertiary maternity unit in a diverse socio-economic catchment area were included (17 incomplete questionnaires). The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was administered to evaluate during pregnancy: i) whether expectant mothers meet ACOG guidelines for PA, ii) change in PA levels and iii) changes in choice of type of PA. Chi-squared and linear analysis were conducted.

Results:

Of 90 women over three trimesters, 16/90 (17.8%) women met ACOG exercise recommendations. Moderate exercise reduced from 30% to 20% to 16% over the first to third trimesters respectively (p=0.14). While walking rates over pregnancy did not change (but was neither moderate nor vigorous), rates of cycling, swimming and yoga decreased. As recommended, all contact sports ended in the first trimester.

Conclusion:

This prospective pilot study identified that the vast majority of low-risk women do not meet the ACOG guidelines for PA during pregnancy. This study also highlights the need for a larger study to gain additional understanding of PA patterns in a low-risk Irish community to develop future interventions and emhasizes the urgent need for an increase in frequency, intensity and type of PA in pregnancy in this cohort.