Abstract
Background: Exercise during pregnancy can increase physical fitness, decrease risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and control gestational weight gain (GWG) including association to enhance psychological well-being. Pregnant women generally have lower exercise behaviour than in the pre-pregnancy period. Objectives: The objectives were to determine the acceptability of a programme based on Thai Government guidance for exercise in pregnancy, and assess preliminary effects of the exercise programme. Methods: A total of 61 women between 12-16 weeks gestation were randomly allocated to the 10 week exercise intervention (n = 31) or control group (n = 30). Baseline measures were collected before intervention and preliminary effects data after completion of intervention and two weeks after expected date of delivery (EDD). Results: Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) showed the exercise group had lower gestational weight gain than control group after controlling for maternal age, pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), gestational age, and baby birth weight (p <.001). The study indicated significant increases over time in physical activity after controlling for maternal age, and pre-pregnancy BMI (p <.001). Conclusion: The study demonstrated feasibility of conducting a larger RCT with an intervention to improve exercise behaviour in pregnant women.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 446-455 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Journal | MIDIRS Midwifery Digest |
| Volume | 30 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Dec 2020 |
