Abstract

Background: Studies have shown that physical activities are beneficial to pregnant women. However, there are speculations that some cardiopulmonary parameters may be affected due to lack of adequate physical activities (PA) during pregnancy.

Aim: This study determined the effect of exercises on PA of pregnant women. Also compared the level of PA across each group at 1st, 3rd and 8th week of intervention. And determine the relationship of PA level with respiratory volume of each participant.

Methodology: 50 participants who were at their 3rd semester of pregnancy (25 experimental and 25 control) were purposively recruited for this experimental study. Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethics and Research committee and informed consent of participants was secured from each participant. the participants were randomized into Control (A)and experimental group (B) with tossing of coin. Group A used incentive spirometer while in group B did not, PA was measured for both group with IPAC. The Data were collected at pre baseline , 3rd and 6th week of intervention. Alpha level was set at p<0.05 (Figure 1).

Results: Majority of the participant were between the age range of 21-40 years (98%). Repeated measure ANOVA of each group showed that there was significant difference in the level of physical activity across control group (F: 23.09, p= 0.00) and experimental group (F: 18.013, p= 0.000) across weeks. Also, comparison of the effect of PA in A and B groups was significant at 1st (t= 3.65, p= 0.001) and 6th (-10.882, 0.000) weeks, however, not significant at 3rd week( -1.459, 0.151). Moreover, there was also significant relationship of the respiratory capacity and the level of physical activity of the pregnant women (r= 0.24, p= 0.04).

Conclusion: Level of PA had significant effect during pregnancy state. There was long term effect of PA during pregnancy state. Respiratory capacity was related to the level of PA during pregnancy state.