Exploring Physical Activity Engagement and Related Variables During Pregnancy and Postpartum and the Best Practices for Self-Report Physical Activity Postpartum

Physical activity (PA) is recommended in pregnancy and postpartum to support mental and physical well-being. However, little is known about the association between pregnancy and postpartum PA and interrelated factors in PA engagement. The objectives of this study were to (a) measure and understand PA engagement in pregnancy and postpartum and how related variables (i.e., work status, number of children, time since birth, PA during pregnancy) are associated with postpartum PA and (b) to examine two self-reported methods for assessing PA postpartum: self-reported PA volume and intensity through questionnaire vs. asking whether women met PA guidelines of 150 min of moderate-to-vigorous PA per week. A total of 526 women who had given birth within the past 18 months completed an online questionnaire (majority were Canadian or American). Descriptive statistics were used to assess PA during pregnancy and postpartum, and chi-square analyses were run to assess the association between related variables and to evaluate self-report methods. During pregnancy, 27.4% of women reported meeting PA guidelines and 25.3% reported meeting PA guidelines postpartum. No significant relationship between return-to-work status or number of children and meeting PA guidelines was found. Participants ≤12 weeks postpartum were less likely to meet PA guidelines compared to those >12 weeks postpartum. There was a significant relationship between meeting PA guidelines during pregnancy and engagement in PA postpartum. Lastly, there was a significant relationship between a binary measure of meeting PA guidelines (i.e., yes or no) and calculated PA volume and intensity when provided through type, frequency, and duration. This study provides insights into PA patterns of women during pregnancy and postpartum. Findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to support maternal health and well-being, emphasizing the importance of establishing PA habits during pregnancy to assist in maintenance postpartum. Results also suggest that simplified assessment methods may be effective for monitoring women's PA, potentially making it easier for healthcare providers to track and promote healthy behaviors among new mothers.