https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6497-2904
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ABSTRACT
This study evaluated the relationship of self-reported exercise, physical activity (PA) level, and Quality of Life (QoL) among women in their third trimester of pregnancy and verified which factors are associated with physical exercise (PE) and QoL. A cross-sectional study was performed with women who have been pregnant for at least 28 weeks and who can engage in PE. Data on self-reported exercise, sociodemographic characteristics, PA level, and QoL were collected through the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire BREF version (WHOQOL-BREF). Frequencies, bivariate analyses, and logistic and linear regression were performed. Among 405 pregnant women, 103 (25.43 percent) reported practicing PE. The self-reported PE was associated with better scores in the physical and environmental domains of the WHOQOL-BREF. Several IPAQ variables and the WHOQOL-BREF environmental score were associated with self-reported exercise. The majority classified as “active” by the IPAQ was due to employment and not the PE practice. A correct conceptual approach to PA and PE during antenatal care has a different impact on health and QoL during pregnancy.
Acknowledgments
The authors thank the Reproductive Health and Healthy Habits (SARHAS, in the Portuguese acronym) research group members, who provided helpful comments.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Ethics approval
This study was conducted according to the guidelines of the Declaration of Helsinki. All procedures were approved by the Ethics and Research Committee under number 95,606,618.00000.5404.