Influence of Physical Activity on Self-Esteem and Anxiety during Pregnancy: A Longitudinal Prospective Study
Paula Clara Santos,
Diana Bernardo,
Pedro Pugliesi Abdalla,
Raquel Leirós-Rodríguez,
Leonardo Santos Lopes da Silva,
Cristina Mesquita,
Jorge Mota,
Dalmo Machado
Affiliations
Paula Clara Santos
Departamento de Fisioterapia, Escola Superior de Saúde, Instituto Politécnico do Porto, 4249-015 Porto, Portugal
Diana Bernardo
Departmento de Fisioterapia, Escola Superior de Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal
Pedro Pugliesi Abdalla
Study and Research Group in Anthropometry, Training, and Sport (GEPEATE), School of Physical Education and Sport of Ribeirao Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14040-900, SP, Brazil
Raquel Leirós-Rodríguez
SALBIS Research Group, Nursing and Physical Therapy Department, University of Leon, Astorga Ave, 15, 24401 Ponferrada, Spain
Leonardo Santos Lopes da Silva
Study and Research Group in Anthropometry, Training, and Sport (GEPEATE), School of Physical Education and Sport of Ribeirao Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14040-900, SP, Brazil
Cristina Mesquita
Departamento de Fisioterapia, Escola Superior de Saúde, Instituto Politécnico do Porto, 4249-015 Porto, Portugal
Jorge Mota
Research Center in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure (CIAFEL), Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
Dalmo Machado
Study and Research Group in Anthropometry, Training, and Sport (GEPEATE), School of Physical Education and Sport of Ribeirao Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14040-900, SP, Brazil
Women’s pregnancy increases the odds of developing anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. Physical activity can reduce the severity of maternal mental disorders and postpartum symptoms. The aim was to evaluate self-esteem, anxiety, and physical activity patterns among healthy pregnant women during three gestational trimesters (GTs). A longitudinal prospective study involving 248 Portuguese pregnant women, monitored for a year during all GTs, was conducted. Self-reported questionnaires were used to collect personal and obstetric data, and Rosenberg’s Self-Esteem Scale, Zung Anxiety Scale, and a Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire were applied. A total of 152 women presented valid follow-up data considered for analysis. All test scores do not present normality (p p p = 0.008), vigorous (1st GT = 0.45 (±3.95) [95%CI: 0.83 to 2.08]; 2nd GT = 1.63 (±3.52) [95%CI: 1.07 to 2.19]; 3rd GT = 0.81 (±2.16) [95%CI: 0.46 to 1.15]; p = 0.0475), and light (2nd GT = 101.68 (±48.77) [95%CI: 93.93 to 109.44]; 3rd GT = 98.42 (±49.05) [95%CI: 90.62 to 106.22]; p < 0.001) physical activity levels were significantly reduced throughout the GTs, but the time spent in sedentary activities did not change. In this follow-up study, it was possible to identify a critical point in the 2nd GT, when the drastic reduction in physical activity levels coincided with periods of lower self-esteem scores. However, anxiety levels do not seem to change over GTs.
