Exercise Participation Motives of Pregnant Women

Abstract

The aims of this study were to investigate the participation motives of pregnant women involved in exercise classes and to examine the differences in reasons for participation based on age, stage of pregnancy, and prior exercise levels. To assess the exercise motives of pregnant women, the Participation Motivation Questionnaire for Exercise in Pregnancy (PMQEP) was administered to 131 women (mean age, 32.2 years) participating in exercise classes designed specifically for pregnant women. Findings indicated that the most important exercise motive was 'to keep healthy for the baby', followed by 'to cope better with the physical changes of pregnancy', 'I want to be physically fit', ?I want to stay in shape', and 'to cope better with labour'. Principal components analysis of the PMQEP established five factors: 'Social', 'Physical Fitness', 'Coping with Pregnancy', 'Achievement/Energy Release', and 'Preparation for Labour/Challenge'. Further, discriminant function analysis revealed differences in motives based on age and prior exercise levels. These findings have important implications for designing and implementing exercise classes for pregnant women, and should be considered when encouraging pregnant women to exercise throughout pregnancy.