Evaluation of physical activity of women in the second and third trimester of pregnancy using the standardized PPAQ questionnaire-a pilot study

Abstract

Pregnancy is a unique period in a woman's life, so every pregnant woman should be aware of the importance of physical exercise during pregnancy. The purpose of this study was to compare the physical activity of women in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. The standardized Physical Activity Questionnaire for Pregnant Women (PPAQ-PL) was used to achieve the purpose of the study. Thirty women in the age range of 18-35 years (28 years±3.54) participated in the study. Analysis of the results showed that higher values of total weekly energy expenditure were obtained by the group of women in the third trimester of pregnancy (206.37 MET/h/week) compared to pregnant women in the second trimester (140.42MET/h/week). The women differed in terms of energy expenditure in activities such as housework (in women in the second trimester 49.1% of total activity, in the third trimester 56.7%), passive rest (24.1% and 14.5%), professional work (12.9% and 7.7%), sports and exercise (2.8% and 6.6%), and moving around (10.6% and 14.5%). In both women in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, a low level of activity intensity prevailed (58.08% and 55.64%). Energy expenditure on sports and exercise consistent with the recommended for the second trimester (≥28 MET/h/week) was declared by only 6% of the women surveyed, while in the third trimester the recommended energy expenditure on physical activity (≥16 MET/h/week) was fulfilled by 29% of pregnant women. There is an ongoing need to educate women about the benefits of systematic prenatal activity.