The effectiveness of a health‐based message on pregnant women’s intentions to exercise postpartum

Abstract

Background: The benefits of physical activity in the general population are established and research suggests regular physical activity following childbirth is linked with improved health outcomes. However, many women do not resume pre‐pregnancy exercise levels. Objective: The present research used the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) framework to examine whether information about the health benefits of postpartum exercise presented during pregnancy can serve as a meaningful source of exercise motivation. Method: Pregnant women (n = 89) were randomly assigned into one of two conditions: experimental (read a brochure about the health benefits of postpartum exercise) and control (no information). After the intervention, all participants completed measures of attitude, subjective norms (SN), perceived behavioural control (PBC) and intention to exercise postpartum. Results: Independent group t‐tests showed that compared to the control group, participants who received the persuasive message reported significantly more positive attitudes, stronger SN, PBC, and greater intention to exercise (all p’s < .05). Attitudes, SN, and PBC accounted for 51% of the variance in intention. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that exposure to information about the health benefits of exercise during the postpartum period grounded in the TPB can influence pregnant women’s exercise beliefs and intentions.

Keywords:

• pregnancy
• postpartum period
• exercise
• behavioural medicine
• Theory of Planned Behaviour

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge the valuable contribution of Dr Charmaine Roye, her assistant Colleen McCauley, and the other obstetricians/gynaecologists, nurses and staff of Avenue Medical Clinic in Brantford, Ontario for allowing us to collect data from their patients.