Physical Activity and Muscular Strengthening in Pregnancy: A Comparison Between Rural and Urban Women

Authors

  • Elaine S. Marshall Corresponding Author: Elaine S. Marshall, PhD, RN Professor & Bulloch Healthcare Endowed Chair Co-Director, Rural Health Research Institute School of Nursing Georgia Southern University Statesboro, GA 30460 Phone: 801 358-8009 Email: elainemarshall@georgiasouthern.edu
  • Bridget Melton Bridget Melton, EdD, CSCS Associate Professor Department of Health & Kinesiology Georgia Southern University Statesboro, GA Email: bmelton@georgiasouthern.edu
  • Helen Bland Helen Bland, PhD Professor Department of Health & Kinesiology Georgia Southern University Statesboro, GA Email: hwbland@georgaisouthern.edu
  • Jacquelyn Nagle Jacquelyn Nagle, MS, PhD Candidate Graduate Student Researcher Physical Activity & Weight Management Research Center University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA Email: jacquelyn.nagle@gmail.com

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14574/ojrnhc.v13i1.172

Abstract

Though known to improve pregnancy outcomes, physical activity generally decreases through pregnancy.  Though some research has shown rural American women to be less active than urban dwellers, little is known regarding differences in such specific activities between rural and urban pregnant women.  Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare self-reported physical activity patterns and muscular strength training activities between rural and urban pregnant women. Sample: Sample included 88 rural and urban pregnant women, mean age 25.83, in the southeastern region of the United States. Method: Women were recruited from the waiting rooms of regional obstetrician offices. Following consent, physical activity was assessed by the short-form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), and muscular strengthening activity was measured by an adapted self-report questionnaire. Findings: Several significant differences between rural and urban women included total number of minutes of moderate intensity physical activity, number of days per week of moderate activity, and time spent in resistance training. There was also a difference in total activity between participants with a high school education or lower and those with a college or higher education. There was no significant difference in total physical activity among trimesters for the entire group or between groups, showing no change across pregnancy. Conclusions: Rural pregnant women are less likely to engage in some levels of physical activity than urban counterparts. Further investigation is recommended to understand specific factors influencing health and activity patterns of rural pregnant women.

Author Biography

  • Elaine S. Marshall, Corresponding Author: Elaine S. Marshall, PhD, RN Professor & Bulloch Healthcare Endowed Chair Co-Director, Rural Health Research Institute School of Nursing Georgia Southern University Statesboro, GA 30460 Phone: 801 358-8009 Email: elainemarshall@georgiasouthern.edu
    Professor
    Bulloch Healthcare Endowed Chair
    Co-Director, Rural Health Research Institute

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Published

2013-03-12

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Articles