Interventions to increase self-reported physical activity during pregnancy: A systematic review

Abstract

Background: Only 52% of pregnant women achieve the recommended amount of physical activity throughout pregnancy. Many studies have aimed to improve health-related outcomes by introducing physical activity interventions during pregnancy. A systematic search summarizing studies using self-reported physical activity measures is necessary, as this is a clinical outcome measure that can be utilized routinely in clinical practice.

Objectives: The purpose of this systematic review was to synthesize, critically appraise, and determine the effectiveness of interventions designed to improve self-reported measures of physical activity in pregnant women.

Design: Systematic review.

Data sources and methods: EBSCO and PubMed were searched from January 1, 2014, through January 1, 2024. A hand search of references was also performed. Included studies must have utilized a randomized controlled trial or clinical trial design where a physical activity intervention was implemented, included healthy pregnant women, and utilized a self-reported physical activity measure pre- and post-intervention. Two reviewers independently appraised each article with the Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale. The Strength of Recommendation Taxonomy was used to make an overall strength of recommendation.

Results: Twelve studies met the inclusion criteria for this systematic review. Seven studies were ranked as "fair" quality, and five studies were ranked as "good" quality. The primary groupings of the interventions included the following: phone or app-based, face-to-face counseling, or group fitness classes/access to local resources. Eight studies provided sufficient data to calculate effect sizes and associated 95% confidence intervals. The largest effect sizes were calculated for the phone or app-based interventions.

Conclusions: A level B strength of recommendation was given to evidence supporting phone or app-based interventions, counseling interventions, and group fitness or access to local resources interventions. Future research should focus on further investigating the use of phone or app-based interventions or counseling interventions to promote physical activity among pregnant women.

Registration: Prospero CRD42024526761.

Keywords: fetal health; maternal health; subjective physical activity.

Figure 1.

Systematic search results.