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Abstract

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology Volume 4: Issue 1, Article 17, 2023. Evidence-based guidelines recommend physical activity during pregnancy, however, most pregnant individuals fail to achieve the minimum recommended amount of physical activity. Uncertainty about the safety of physical activity is a common reason why pregnant individuals do not participate in regular physical activity. The purpose of this study was to develop an evidence-based educational video and evaluate its effectiveness at improving pregnant individuals’ attitudes regarding the safety of physical activity during pregnancy. Pregnant individuals attending their first prenatal appointment from an urban academic interprofessional teaching unit in Toronto, Canada were invited to participate. Participants (n=37) completed a survey during their first trimester (x̄= 12.4 weeks gestation) before watching an evidence-based physical activity safety video. The cohort was then asked to complete surveys two months later in their second trimester (x̄= 22.6 weeks gestation) after watching the video. While all participants felt confident engaging in physical activity pre-intervention (100%), most participants expressed benefit from further education (80.8%). After watching the video, there was a significant difference in participants’ beliefs regarding high impact activities (p=0.03) and knowledge about physical activity amount as recommended by current guidelines (p<0.01). Overall, participants felt the video improved their knowledge about the safety of physical activity during pregnancy (90.9%) and they would recommend the video to other pregnant individuals (95.5%). The evidence-based video provided to patients early in pregnancy appears effective in reinforcing positive attitudes towards the safety of prenatal physical activity. Future studies exploring more diverse populations are needed to confirm the results of this pilot study.

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