Stages of Change Model for Participation in Physical Activity during Pregnancy

Background. The transtheoretical model (TTM) has been successful in promoting health behavioral change in the general population. However, there is a scant knowledge about physical activity in relation to the TTM during pregnancy. Hence, the aims of the present study were (1) to assess readiness to...

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Main Authors: Lene Annette Hagen Haakstad, Nanna Voldner, Kari Bø
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2013-01-01
Series:Journal of Pregnancy
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/193170
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author Lene Annette Hagen Haakstad
Nanna Voldner
Kari Bø
author_facet Lene Annette Hagen Haakstad
Nanna Voldner
Kari Bø
author_sort Lene Annette Hagen Haakstad
collection DOAJ
description Background. The transtheoretical model (TTM) has been successful in promoting health behavioral change in the general population. However, there is a scant knowledge about physical activity in relation to the TTM during pregnancy. Hence, the aims of the present study were (1) to assess readiness to become or stay physically active according to the TTM and (2) to compare background and health variables across the TTM. Methods. Healthy pregnant women (n=467) were allocated to the study from Oslo University Hospital, Norway. The participants filled in a validated self-administered questionnaire, physical activity pregnancy questionnaire (PAPQ) in gestation, weeks 32–36. The questionnaire contained 53 questions with one particular question addressing the TTM and the five stages: (1) precontemplation stage, (2) contemplation stage, (3) preparation stage, (4) action stage, and (5) maintenance stage. Results. More than half of the participants (53%) were involved in regular exercise (stages 4-5); however, only six specified that they had recently started an exercise program (stage 4). About 33% reported engaging in some physical activity, but not regularly (stage 3). The results showed that receiving advice from health professionals to exercise during pregnancy increased the likeliness of being in stages 4-5, while higher age, multiparity, pregravid overweight, unhealthy eating habits, pelvic girdle pain, and urinary incontinence were more prevalent with low readiness to change exercise habits (stages 1–3). Conclusion. According to the TTM, more than half of the participants reported to be physically active. Moreover, most of the participants classified as inactive showed a high motivational readiness or intention to increase their physical activity level. Hence, pregnancy may be a window of opportunity for the establishment of long-term physical activity habits.
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spelling doaj-art-ad77038e0da046cb9fa1c79f75132a482025-02-03T01:10:57ZengWileyJournal of Pregnancy2090-27272090-27352013-01-01201310.1155/2013/193170193170Stages of Change Model for Participation in Physical Activity during PregnancyLene Annette Hagen Haakstad0Nanna Voldner1Kari Bø2Department of Sports Medicine, Norwegian School of Sports Sciences, P.O. Box 4014, Ullevål Stadion, 0806 Oslo, NorwayDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, 0424 Oslo, NorwayDepartment of Sports Medicine, Norwegian School of Sports Sciences, P.O. Box 4014, Ullevål Stadion, 0806 Oslo, NorwayBackground. The transtheoretical model (TTM) has been successful in promoting health behavioral change in the general population. However, there is a scant knowledge about physical activity in relation to the TTM during pregnancy. Hence, the aims of the present study were (1) to assess readiness to become or stay physically active according to the TTM and (2) to compare background and health variables across the TTM. Methods. Healthy pregnant women (n=467) were allocated to the study from Oslo University Hospital, Norway. The participants filled in a validated self-administered questionnaire, physical activity pregnancy questionnaire (PAPQ) in gestation, weeks 32–36. The questionnaire contained 53 questions with one particular question addressing the TTM and the five stages: (1) precontemplation stage, (2) contemplation stage, (3) preparation stage, (4) action stage, and (5) maintenance stage. Results. More than half of the participants (53%) were involved in regular exercise (stages 4-5); however, only six specified that they had recently started an exercise program (stage 4). About 33% reported engaging in some physical activity, but not regularly (stage 3). The results showed that receiving advice from health professionals to exercise during pregnancy increased the likeliness of being in stages 4-5, while higher age, multiparity, pregravid overweight, unhealthy eating habits, pelvic girdle pain, and urinary incontinence were more prevalent with low readiness to change exercise habits (stages 1–3). Conclusion. According to the TTM, more than half of the participants reported to be physically active. Moreover, most of the participants classified as inactive showed a high motivational readiness or intention to increase their physical activity level. Hence, pregnancy may be a window of opportunity for the establishment of long-term physical activity habits.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/193170
spellingShingle Lene Annette Hagen Haakstad
Nanna Voldner
Kari Bø
Stages of Change Model for Participation in Physical Activity during Pregnancy
Journal of Pregnancy
title Stages of Change Model for Participation in Physical Activity during Pregnancy
title_full Stages of Change Model for Participation in Physical Activity during Pregnancy
title_fullStr Stages of Change Model for Participation in Physical Activity during Pregnancy
title_full_unstemmed Stages of Change Model for Participation in Physical Activity during Pregnancy
title_short Stages of Change Model for Participation in Physical Activity during Pregnancy
title_sort stages of change model for participation in physical activity during pregnancy
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/193170
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