Attitudes towards exercise during pregnancy. Version 1.
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Physical activity beliefs, intentions and behaviours during pregnancy: an extension of the theory of planned behaviour.
IRAS ID
122570
Contact name
Marlize De Vivo
Contact email
Research summary
The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists recommends that in the absence of either medical or obstetric complications, pregnant women should be encouraged to initiate or continue to participate in regular, moderate intensity physical activity and strength training as part of a healthy lifestyle. Despite these guidelines and the documented benefits, research shows that pregnant women seldom take part in physical activity of the frequency, intensity and duration associated with health benefits. However, in contrast to the literature available on the physiological issues of exercise during pregnancy, there is limited research on the psychological determinants (e.g. attitude) influencing women’s decisions to exercise during pregnancy. Moreover, of these studies, only a few have employed a theoretical framework as method of investigation. The Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) has been successfully applied in the exercise domain and is considered one of the most valuable in terms of explaining people’s exercise behaviour. Using the TPB as conceptual framework the study will extend previous research by examining the influence of past behaviour and previous exercise experience with the main aim of investigating whether or not exercise participation can be predicted based on the beliefs held by healthy pregnant woman living in the East Kent of England. In particular, the study involves a multiphase research design where each phase will inform the next and both quantitative and qualitative techniques and analyses will be employed at various stages to address each research question within context. Throughout the phases healthy, adult, pregnant women will be recruited from randomly selected antenatal clinics within East Kent and will be asked to complete questionnaires about their exercise beliefs, intentions and behaviour. In addition, midwives practicing within the region will be interviewed and the information gathered used to better understand women’s perception of physical activity during pregnancy.
REC name
London - Camberwell St Giles Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/LO/1397
Date of REC Opinion
5 Sep 2013
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion