scholarly journals The Perceived Barriers to Physical Activity in Pregnant Women: A Review Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 245-254
Author(s):  
Katayon Ahmadi ◽  
◽  
Leila Amiri-Farahani ◽  

Background: Despite all the positive effects of physical activity on maternal and fetal health, its level is low among pregnant women. Various barriers seem to prevent physical activity during pregnancy. The aim of this study was to investigate and determine the barriers to physical activity during pregnancy based on a review of available literature. Methods: To review the available literature, the authors searched Persian databases, such as Iran Medex, Magiran, MedLib, and SID, and also English databases, including Scopus, PubMed, Elsevier, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and ProQuest using the keywords of pregnant woman, physical activity, exercise, barriers, pregnancy, constraints, and attitudes individually or in combination between 2000 and 2020 and finally, 10 articles that met the inclusion criteria were reviewed. An ecological model was used to classify the reported barriers. Results: Seven quantitative articles and three qualitative articles were included in the study. Obstacles related to the intrapersonal level of the ecological model were the most reported in these studies and were classified into five areas, including pregnancy symptoms and limitations, time constraints, misunderstanding the adequacy of daily activities, lack of motivation, and maternal and fetus safety concerns. Barriers at the interpersonal level included lack of consultation and information and lack of social support and at the environmental, organizational, and political levels, climate and lack of resources were the most reported barriers. Conclusion: The present study outlined the perceived barriers to physical activity among pregnant women and highlighted the important factors that should be considered when planning interventions to increase the level of physical activity during pregnancy. Further studies are recommended to provide solutions to overcome these barriers and increase the activity of pregnant women.

2008 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 364-375 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelly R. Evenson ◽  
Merry-K. Moos ◽  
Kathryn Carrier ◽  
Anna Maria Siega-Riz

2014 ◽  
Vol 62 (2) ◽  

In 1996, the first Report of the US Surgeon General on Physical Activity and Health provided an extensive knowledge overview about the positive effects of physical activity (PA) on several health outcomes and PA recommendations. This contributed to an enhanced interest for PA in Sweden. The Swedish Professional Associations for Physical Activity (YFA) were appointed to form a Scientific Expert Group in the project “Sweden on the Move” and YFA created the idea of Physical Activity on Prescription (FaR) and the production of a handbook (FYSS) for healthcare professionals. In Swedish primary care, licensed healthcare professionals, i.e. physicians, physiotherapists and nurses, can prescribe PA if they have sufficient knowledge about the patient’s current state of health, how PA can be used for promotion, prevention and treatment and are trained in patient-centred counselling and the FaR method. The prescription is followed individually or by visiting local FaR providers. These include sport associations, patient organisations, municipal facilities, commercial providers such as gyms, sports clubs and walking clubs or other organisations with FaR educated staff such as health promoters or personal trainers. In clinical practice, the FaR method increases the level of PA in primary care patients, at 6 and at 12 months. Self-reported adherence to the prescription was 65% at 6 months, similar to the known compliance for medications. In a randomised controlled trial, FaR significantly improved body composition and reduced metabolic risk factors. It is suggested that a successful implementation of PA in healthcare depends on a combination of a systems approach (socio-ecological model) and the strengthening of individual motivation and capability. General support from policymakers, healthcare leadership and professional associations is important. To lower barriers, tools for implementation and structures for delivery must be readily available. Examples include handbooks such as FYSS, the FaR system and the use of pedometers.


2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 14-19
Author(s):  
Nepha Musonda ◽  
◽  
Micah Mutuna Simpamba ◽  

Background:Physiotherapists are better placed to spearhead health promoting activities by encouraging health enhancing lifestyles as part of their practice. This study reviews health promotion practices of Physiotherapists in African countries in order to identify gaps and make recommendations to improve the health promotion practices. Methods:This narrative review was developed from a literature review of previous studies on health promotion practices among physiotherapists in Africa, which were published in English from the years 2010-2020, retrieved from Google Scholar and PubMed. Only articles that focused on health promotion, physical activity, practices, Physiotherapy and Africa were included.Results:Nine (9) studies met the inclusion criteria for this review. Five (5) studies were from Nigeria while one study each from Rwanda, South Africa, Ghana and Ethiopia. Most studies reviewed used quantitative cross-sectional surveys. The focus of these studies were mainly exploring Physiotherapists’ knowledge, attitude and practices towards health promotion and physical activity promotion. Others looked at Physiotherapy practices with regards to counseling, risk factor assessment and interventions as well as perceived barriers and educational needs. Conclusion: It is evident that there is little research done on health promotion practices among Physiotherapists in African countries. There is need to conduct more studies in this area in order to identify the challenges and improve the health promotion practices among Physiotherapy practitioners in the region.


2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (12) ◽  
pp. 1187-1195
Author(s):  
Nathanial J. Kapsal ◽  
Theresa Dicke ◽  
Alexandre J.S. Morin ◽  
Diego Vasconcellos ◽  
Christophe Maïano ◽  
...  

Background: The physical and psychosocial benefits of physical activity for typically developing youth are well established; however, its impact on youth with intellectual disabilities is not as well understood. The aims of this review and meta-analysis were to synthesize the literature and quantify the effects of physical activity on the physical and psychosocial health of youth with intellectual disabilities. Method: Studies meeting the inclusion criteria were grouped by their focus on physical health and/or psychosocial health outcomes. Meta-analyses were performed using 3-level, random effects and mixed effects models. Results: One hundred nine studies met the inclusion criteria. Physical activity had a large effect on physical health (g = 0.773, P < .001) and a moderately large effect (g = 0.682, P < .001) on psychosocial health. Participant age, intellectual disability level, other developmental disabilities, outcome type, and intervention type moderated the effects of physical activity on physical health, whereas study design, risk of bias, other developmental disabilities, outcome type, and intervention type were moderators on psychosocial health. Conclusions: Physical activity has positive effects on the physical and psychosocial health of youth with intellectual disabilities. Although resistance training shows the most physical benefits, teaching movement and sports skills appear to benefit their physical and psychosocial health.


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