Understanding how sedentary women who desire to engage in regular exercise adhere to interventions during pregnancy, as well as the factors influencing adherence over time, remains a topic of limited understanding. This study aimed to examine the longitudinal patterns of exercise adherence among pregnant women and shed light on their exercise habits during gestation.

Methods: In this exploratory secondary data analysis, a total of 124 previously sedentary pregnant women (average age: 31 ± 5 years; 85% non-Hispanic White) were included from a randomized controlled trial. Daily exercise logs spanning from 18 to 35 weeks of gestation were analyzed using a combination of linear regression, functional data analysis, and principal component analyses.

Results: The findings revealed a decline in adherence to exercise as gestation week increased (p < .001). Notably, the top adherers maintained their levels of adherence, while the bottom adherers experienced a decrease in adherence over time. Furthermore, the adherence patterns were influenced by the types of exercises performed throughout the study period.

Discussion: Through the utilization of chronometric data on exercise attendance from a randomized controlled trial, this study explored exercise behavior patterns among sedentary pregnant women. Importantly, the findings suggest that pregnant women may adopt exercise habits differently compared to other populations. These insights have implications for designing effective interventions aimed at promoting exercise adherence among this specific group.

In conclusion, this study provides valuable insights into the longitudinal exercise adherence patterns among sedentary pregnant women. By recognizing the factors that influence adherence and understanding how exercise habits may vary during pregnancy, healthcare professionals and intervention designers can develop tailored strategies to support and encourage regular exercise among this population. Further research is warranted to delve deeper into the complexities of exercise adherence during pregnancy and its impact on maternal and fetal health outcomes.

Reference: Yeo, S., Cisewski, J., Lock, E. F., & Marron, J. S. (2010). Exploratory analysis of exercise adherence patterns with sedentary pregnant women. Nursing research, 59(4), 280.