Exploring the Relationship Between Pregnancy Status and Physical Activity Involvement on Physical Activity
Abstract
Little is known about how women's physical activity (PA) involvement and pregnancy are related to PA levels and knowledge of PA guidelines. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between pregnancy status, PA involvement, knowledge of PA guidelines, and PA levels. Women who were currently pregnant (N = 72, Mean Age = 31.89 +/ 4.23 years) and not pregnant (N = 196 and 36.90 +/ 9.22 years) completed a questionnaire including the PA Involvement Scale (a measure of psychological connection to PA), questions pertaining to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) guidelines, and questions about their current PA levels. Pregnant women reported significantly higher levels of ACOG agreement (Z = -2.095, U = 5,909.00, P lt .005, r = .13) and significantly lower levels of PA (Z = -2.418, U = 4,459.50, P lt .005, r = .16) compared to non-pregnant women. When comparing the group as a whole, there were no significant differences in ACOG agreement scores between PA involvement levels (P > .05), and women with high PA involvement reported significantly more PA participation compared to women with moderate and low PA involvement (P lt .005). When comparing the group by pregnancy status, only those in the high PA involvement cluster reported significant differences in ACOG agreement scores and PA levels, with pregnant women reporting significantly greater ACOG agreement scores (P lt .005) and significantly lower PA levels (P lt .005). To promote PA participation, alternative education methods and psychosocial needs should be addressed prior to, during, and beyond pregnancy.
Department
Recreation Management and Policy
Publication Date
1-1-2021
Journal Title
Recreation, Parks, and Tourism in Public Health
Publisher
Project Muse
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Document Type
Article
Recommended Citation
Walters, K., Hartman, C. L., & Evans, K. (2021). Exploring the relationship between pregnancy status and physical activity involvement on physical activity. Recreation, Parks, and Tourism in Public Health, 5(1), 75-92.