First Name:
Aubrey
Last Name:
VanGoethem
Major Department:
Health, Leisure, and Exercise Science
Date of Thesis:
May 2012
Purpose: To determine associations among trimester-specific physical activity, birth outcomes, and weight outcomes.
Methods: Data was collected from the Physical Activity During Pregnancy and Offspring Size (PAPOS) study. Women who had participated in a research study in Grand Rapids, MI while pregnant in 2006 were contacted for a follow-up in 2008. Women were asked to complete a survey at 15-30 months postpartum concerning their pregnancy health, delivery outcomes, and current health. Women used the modifiable activity questionnaire (MAQ) to recall type, duration, and frequency of physical activity during a typical week in their 1sr, 211d, and 3rd trimesters of pregnancy, as well as currently.
Results: Similar to previous literature, there were no significant differences in rates of preterm or cesarean delivery based on meeting physical activity recommendations. However, we did see significantly lower mean amounts of physical activity during the 1st and 2nd trimesters among women with cesarean delivery. Physical activity in late pregnancy may be related to lower NICU admittance rates based on a trend seen in meeting physical activity recommendations in the 2nd and 3rdtrimester and women without NICU admission had significantly higher mean physical activity during the 3rd trimester. There were no differences in gestational weight gain categories or postpartum weight retention categories based on meeting physical activity recommendations during pregnancy.
Conclusion: Physical activity during pregnancy is not harmful, and may even decrease rates of NICU admittance. It is important to continue physical activity postpartum in order to control postpartum weight retention. Overall, healthcare providers can feel confident recommending participation in at least 150 min/week of physical activity to their pregnant patients.