Physical activity in pregnant women

Abstract

Women who are regularly physically active before pregnancy are much more likely to continue to be regularly physically active during pregnancy. There is lack of information on the specific guidelines and real strategies of adapting several recreational and sport activities to healthy pregnant women. The current study investigates knowledge about the suitability of physical activity for pregnant women. The examined women were divided into two groups as follows: active (women who used to perform some leisure physical activity during pregnancy) and non-active (women who did not use to perform any leisure physical activity during pregnancy). Based on the questionnaire responses, it was found that most women participating in this research believed that their information about proper nutrition and the appropriateness of physical activity during gestation were good enough. They named the Internet and television as their primary sources of information. The data analysis revealed that they wrote down in the questionnaires that they insufficiently consumed fish and whole-grain products in general. On the other hand, red meat, poultry, smoked meat and sweets were consumed in excess. Regarding knowledge about the advisability of physical activity during gestation, it was found that most pregnant women appropriately responded to the survey questions.