Physical activity during pregnancy: key beliefs to support intervention.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Physical activity (PA) provides maternal and fetal health benefits, but only 27.5% of Canadian pregnant women meet PA recommendations. Theory-based interventions like the theory of planned behavior (TPB) are useful in explaining what drives behavior. The first objective of this study was to validate the TPB model to predict prenatal moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), including testing of the novel interaction between intention and perceived behavioral control (PBC). The second objective was to identify which specific beliefs predict intention toward prenatal MVPA to support intervention.

Method

We used a prospective correlational design. Healthy pregnant women completed two electronic questionnaires: at baseline, to assess TPB constructs, and one month

SUBMITTER: Simard L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11869338 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature