The Effect of Exercise on Anxiety Levels of Pregnant and Non-Pregnant Women

Abstract

Background: Evidence that the birth process of physically active women go through more easily than inactive women goes back to ancient times. As a result, women's orientation to physical activity during pregnancy indicates that they will have a very beneficial and comfortable period both before and after pregnancy. Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of exercise on the anxiety levels of pregnant and non-pregnant women in terms of various variables. Methods: Pregnant Information Form and Cambridge Anxiety Scale created by the researchers were used as data collection tools in the study. Data collection tools were applied by the researcher using face to face interview method. In the analysis of the data obtained in the study, percentage and frequency descriptive statistical methods to determine the distribution of the personal information of the participants, T-test, One Way Anova Test First of all, Kaiser-Mayer-Olkin (KMO) and Bartlett tests were used to measure the conformity of the expressions to the factor analysis, reliability and validity of the anxiety scale used. After it was determined that the validity condition was met, the mean and standard deviation values for the scale expressions were calculated. Conclusion: According to the findings, the anxiety levels of the participants; According to the results of the analysis on whether there is a significant difference according to their age, average age, education level, income status, number of children, current health status, frequency of doing sports, type of sport, motivating factors for sports, anxiety levels for themselves during the pandemic process, during the pandemic process. It has been determined that there is a significant difference according to their anxiety levels for their babies, their pregnancy status and their relationship with sports. Result: It was determined that the level of anxiety did not differ according to the number of pregnancies, the number of miscarriages, the duration of pregnancy and social security status. Keywords: Pregnancy, Exercise, Anxiety.