Pregnant women's views of physical activity during pregnancy
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploration of pregnant women's knowledge and beliefs about physical activity during pregnancy
IRAS ID
146992
Contact name
Lesley Smith
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Oxford Brookes University
Research summary
According to a report by the World Health Organisation in 2010 physical inactivity is the fourth leading risk factor for non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancer. Furthermore, physical activity levels tend to decline during pregnancy compared with before pregnancy despite recommendations in national guidelines to keep active.
There is limited research investigating the views of pregnant women in the UK on physical activity in relation to labour and childbirth. Research on pregnant women's beliefs about physical activity and exercise during pregnancy shows that women believe it more important to 'slow down' from their previous activity levels due to physical changes such as fatigue and injury potential, and that women often receive conflicting advice from varied sources such as family, friends, magazines and books.
This study aims to explore pregnant women's knowledge and views about physical activity and exercise levels during pregnancy and the perceived importance of such activity in relation to their expectations of labour and childbirth. We will also identify where women seek and/or gather this information from.
I aim to recruit 6-10 women with uncomplicated pregnancies and under midwifery led care who are between 12 and 28 weeks pregnant. They will be invited to participate in a single interview which will inquire about their attitudes and views about physical activity during pregnancy and where they seek information on this topic. The findings will be analysed and written up for my dissertation.
Whilst this is a small study, it will contribute to understanding some of the factors that may influence a woman's decisions about physical activity and exercise levels during pregnancy, and will provide contextual data that will inform our ongoing programme of work in this important area of public health midwifery.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Leeds East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/YH/1006
Date of REC Opinion
4 Jun 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion