Research Priorities Regarding Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour, And Sleep In Pregnancy: A Delphi Study

Abstract

PURPOSE: To produce a top 10 list of research priorities in pregnancy regarding physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and sleep according to pregnant/postpartum women, healthcare providers and exercise professionals. METHODS: A modified Delphi method was used that comprised of two rounds. In Round 1, pregnant/postpartum individuals (N = 118), exercise professionals and healthcare providers (N = 55) were asked to list up to 10 questions perceived as unanswered regarding exercise/physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and sleep in pregnancy. All responses were subjected to content analysis and were redirected to participants in Round 2 where respondents were asked to rate each question on a Likert importance scale of 1 (not important) to 5 (very important). The sum of ratings received were calculated to generate a total score for each question. RESULTS: Within the exercise/physical activity category, pregnant/postpartum individuals (N = 67) prioritised questions regarding exercise prescription, exercise on maternal and fetal outcomes and impact of exercise on pregnancy conditions. This was extended within the healthcare provider and exercise professional group (N = 22) to questions about special population groups, and clinical education and access to information. Within the sedentary behaviour category, pregnant/postpartum individuals prioritised questions regarding the impact of sedentary behaviour on maternal and fetal outcomes, sedentary recommendations, and exercise and sedentary positioning. Healthcare providers and exercise professionals prioritised similar topics, surplus to questions regarding to safe sedentary positions for mum and baby. Within the sleep category, pregnant/postpartum individuals prioritised questions regarding the impact of pregnancy on sleep, safety, sleeping aids, and the role of exercise and these were similar for healthcare providers and exercise professionals. CONCLUSION: Pregnant/postpartum women, healthcare providers and exercise professionals have prioritised questions that have in part been addressed by existing research, highlighting a need for improved knowledge translation from research to practice. They have also identified novel questions that warrant prioritisation that may help direct future research.