An investigation into the exercise behaviours of regionally based Australian pregnant women

Objectives: Regular exercise during pregnancy is a recommended prenatal care strategy with short and long-term health benefits to mother and child. Unfortunately, most pregnant women are insufficiently active to obtain health benefits and there is evidence that activity levels decrease overall during pregnancy. Physical activity among regionally based women is lower than that of urban-based women within Australia. However, little is currently known about exercise behaviours of regionally based Australian pregnant women. To successfully promote exercise among regionally based pregnant women, a greater understanding of exercise behaviours must first be explored. This study investigated exercise behaviours in a sample of regionally based Australian pregnant women. Design: Regionally based Australian pregnant women (n = 142) completed a modified version of the Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire examining exercise behaviours before and during pregnancy. Methods: Women self-reported their exercise exercise behaviours, including exercise frequency, intensity, time and type, before and during pregnancy. For further information, please refer to the complete version of the attached manuscript.