The effect of exercise training on exercise beliefs, benefits and barriers in pregnant women

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of exercise training on exercise beliefs, benefits and barriers in pregnant women. 69 volunteer women in the second trimester of pregnancy were included in the study. All pregnant women were evaluated before the study. After the sociodemographic characteristics of pregnant women were recorded, their first evaluations were completed by using Physical Activity Questionnaire in Pregnancy, Exercise Beliefs Questionnaire in Pregnant Women, Exercise Benefits/Barriers Scale, Exercise Self-Efficacy Scale, Infant Health Locus of Control Scale, Body Image Scale, Short Form-36 and Visual Analogue Scale. Pregnant women were divided into two groups as training (n = 39) and control (n = 30). Pregnant women in the training group were taken to group exercise with a physiotherapist for a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 12 weeks, 3 sessions per week. Pregnant women in the control group were given exercise advice. After the study, the evaluations of all pregnant women were repeated. Exercise training did not change behavioral beliefs, normative beliefs, control beliefs, attitude, subjective norm and intention (p> 0.05), and developed the perceived behavioral control (p <0.05). After the study, the perceived benefit and perceived barrier of the pregnant women and movement fears changed in favor of the education group (p <0.05). It was determined that exercise training reduced sedentary activity (p <0.05) and did not affect other physical activity parameters and exercise self-efficacy, health locus of control, body image and quality of life (p> 0.05). According to the results of our study, exercise education in pregnant women increases the perception of control related to behavior. Perceived benefits and barriers of pregnant women are affected by exercise training. During pregnancy, which is an ideal period for adopting a healthy lifestyle, these studies on regular physical activity beliefs should be expanded.