Outcome Expectancy for Various Physical Activity Modalities during Pregnancy

Abstract

Pregnancy physical activity (PA) is likely influenced by a pregnant woman’s perception of health benefits (outcome expectancy). Qualitative research suggests some women may perceive maternal PA health benefits to be greater than fetal benefits, but this has not been quantitatively examined. Furthermore, their individual and joint influence on pregnancy PA is unclear. PURPOSE: We investigated whether pregnant women’s PA outcome expectancy for maternal health is greater than for fetal health. Additionally, we examined main and interactive effects of PA outcome expectancies for maternal and fetal health on PA participation in various modalities. METHODS: Pregnant women (N=498) completed an online survey about outcome expectancies for and participation in various PA modalities, including: brisk walking, light and intense jogging, cycling, and swimming, prenatal yoga, aerobic dance, and resistance training exercises. For each, PA outcome expectancy was assessed on 11-pont Likert scales for maternal and fetal health. Participation in each modality was defined as PA > 0 min/wk. Paired-Sample Wilcoxon Signed Ranked Tests were performed to examine differences between outcome expectancy for mother and for baby. Hierarchical logistic regression was used to examine main and interactive effects of outcome expectancies (for mother and baby) on modality participation. RESULTS: Outcome expectancy for maternal health was significantly greater than for fetal health for all PA modalities (p<0.05). After controlling for prepregnancy PA and self-efficacy beliefs, PA outcome expectancy for maternal health did not affect modality participation. In contrast, PA outcome expectancy for fetal health did positively affect participation in light jogging (β=1.15, CI=1.03-1.28), intense jogging (β=1.26, CI=1.07-1.49), aerobic dance (β=1.18, CI=1.04-1.33), resistance band exercises (β=1.14, CI=1.00-1.31), and CrossFit-type exercises (β=1.57, CI=1.19-2.06). No interactive effects were found for maternal and fetal PA outcome expectancies on modality participation. CONCLUSIONS: Pregnant women perceive many types of PA to be more beneficial for their own health than for the health of the baby. However, it appears that perceived health benefits for the baby meaningfully influence some types of pregnancy PA.