G-2646

Why Do Pregnant Women Stay Inactive? A Cross-sectional Study of Perceived Barriers to Physical Activity In Three Trimesters of Pregnancy

 Romina Fili ¹ ℗, Fereshteh Behmanesh ² ©, Hossein-Ali Nikbakht ³   

 
Abstract

Introduction: Physical activity (PA) levels during pregnancy are affected by a complex interplay of individual, social, and environmental determinants, including lower educational attainment, employment status, physical discomfort, fatigue, and limited access to resources. The etiology of the decline in PA during pregnancy remains incompletely understood due to inconsistencies in existing research.To facilitate increased engagement in PA among pregnant women, further investigation into the barriers to PA is warranted. Consequently, this study was undertaken to identify specific barriers to PA across each trimester of pregnancy and to examine their associated factors within a population of Iranian pregnant women. Methods and Materials: This cross-sectional study was part of a mixed-methods research project conducted in women's clinics affiliated with ... Univercity of Medical Sciences from 2022 to 2024. Participants comprised 351 pregnant women 10-37 weeks, recruited via convenience sampling. Inclusion criteria were: literacy, absence of medical contraindications to PA or disability, and absence of preterm labor symptoms, excessive shortness of breath, fainting, severe chest pain, or dizziness unrelieved by rest. Data were collected using a Demographic-Midwifery Questionnaire and the Barriers to Physical Activity during Pregnancy Scale (BPAPS). Statistical analyses, including Pearson correlation and ANOVA tests, were performed using SPSS version 23, with a significance level set at p 0.05. Results: The mean (SD) age and gestational age of the women were 29.06 (SD = 5.99) years and 27.43 (SD = 8.45) weeks, respectively. The mean (SD) total PA barrier scores for the first, second, and third trimesters were 82.00 (15.83), 78.40 (16.17), and 77.27 (16.35), respectively. No statistically significant difference was observed in PA barrier scores across trimesters (P = 0.31). In the third trimester, the highest barrier was related to intrapersonal barriers related to pregnancy with a mean (SD) of 43.63 (16.54). While, environmental barriers had the highest Mean (SD) 50.62 (20.45) in the first and second trimester 43.57 (17.57). Pearson correlation analysis revealed a statistically significant positive correlation between age and the total PA barrier score (r = 0.15, P = 0.004), intrapersonal barriers unrelated to pregnancy (r = 0.12, P = 0.016), and environmental barriers (r = 0.16, P = 0.002). Gestational age exhibited a statistically significant positive correlation solely with interpersonal barriers (r = 0.14, p = 0.006). Conclusion and Discussion: Despite the increase in barriers to PA during pregnancy, no significant differences were observed between trimesters. Environmental and intrapersonal barriers related to pregnancy are important factors for inactivity during pregnancy. The significant relationship of increasing age with environmental, intrapersonal barriers unrelated to pregnancy, and total score of PA barriers indicates the dynamic and stage-specific role of barriers. These findings emphasize the need for person-centered interventions related to the stage of pregnancy, age-related changes,

Keywords: Physical Activity, Pregnancy, Pregnant Women, Cross-Sectional