Physical Activity and Pregnancy: Practices and Knowledge of Pregnant Women

Physical activity (PA) is defined as 'any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that requires the expenditure of energy (...) physical activity of moderate or sustained intensity has beneficial effects on health'. This activity is characterised by its duration, intensity, frequency and the way in which it is practised.

Physical activity is a behaviour that has a protective effect on various chronic diseases and is associated with a number of important vital parameters, such as heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, body mass index (BMI) and blood sugar levels, all of which are essential measures that provide an overview of an individual's overall state of health.

Pregnancy is a period during which many physiological and hormonal changes take place. Pregnancy is a period during which physical activity is reduced and there is a tendency towards a sedentary lifestyle. However, physical activity has a number of benefits for pregnant women, including the prevention of a number of pregnancy-related pathologies that can be harmful to both the woman and her baby, such as gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia and pregnancy-induced hypertension, which can lead to premature birth, increased risk of macrosomia and hypotrophy. What's more, physical activity helps pregnant women to control weight gain, reduce back pain and alleviate anxiety and depression.