1. Objectifs

Intentions :
«The primary objective of this study was to compare PA [physical activity] levels among pregnant women who conceived naturally [CN] and after [fertility treatments (FT)] throughout pregnancy. [The] secondary objective was to identify factors related to reproductive history, as well as other maternal characteristics, that predict prenatal MVPA [moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity] levels at each trimester of pregnancy.» (p. 2)

Questions/Hypothèses :
For the first objective, the authors’ hypotheses were that «pregnant women are less active during the first and third trimesters of pregnancy (main effect – time effect); […] FT women are less active than CN women (main effect – group effect) and […] the decline in PA levels throughout pregnancy is greater in FT women compared to CN women (interaction effect). [For the second objective, they hypothesize] that several factors, among which factors related to reproductive history, predict prenatal PA levels and that predictors are different according to the trimester of pregnancy.» (p. 2)

2. Méthode

Échantillon/Matériau :
L’échantillon (n = 96) est composé de 58 femmes enceintes par conception naturelle et de 38 femmes enceintes par traitement de fertilité. L’ensemble des participantes ont été recrutées dans la ville de Trois-Rivières, en Mauricie (Qc).

Instruments :
Questionnaire

Type de traitement des données :
Analyse statistique

3. Résumé

The results «suggest that PA practice throughout pregnancy is strongly influenced by past history of PA practice.» (p. 7) The analysis «revealed that MVPA levels and daily step counts decreased significantly over the course of pregnancy but to the same magnitude in women who conceived naturally and in those who conceived after FT […]. [However, the authors] found a linear decrease in PA levels throughout pregnancy. […] The decrease in PA levels over the course of pregnancy can be explained by different factors, such as the increase in physical discomforts and pelvic girdle pain as pregnancy progresses […].» (p. 5) Moreover, prenatal «anxiety was significantly associated with MVPA levels in early and late pregnancy, suggesting that the psychological status should be taken into account in the promotion of prenatal PA.» (p. 7) «Anxiety was a significant predictor of MVPA levels at [first trimester], although its contribution to the predictive model was modest. The more anxious the women were the lower MVPA levels they had.» (p. 6) The authors conclude that «obstetric health care providers and fitness professionals should reinforce the importance of being active as early as possible during pregnancy. Moreover, a discussion about anxiety might help overcome barriers to prenatal PA practice, especially in early pregnancy and ultimately improve maternal and neonatal health.» (p. 7)