“Conscious Nine Months”: Exploring Regular Physical Activity amongst Pregnant Women—A Qualitative Study Protocol

Beata Makaruk, Weronika Grantham (), Natalia Organista and Maciej Płaszewski
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Beata Makaruk: Department of Sport for All, Faculty of Physical Education and Health in Biała Podlaska, Józef Piłsudski University of Physical Education, 00-968 Warsaw, Poland
Weronika Grantham: Department of Sport for All, Faculty of Physical Education and Health in Biała Podlaska, Józef Piłsudski University of Physical Education, 00-968 Warsaw, Poland
Natalia Organista: Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Faculty of Physical Education, Józef Piłsudski University of Physical Education, 00-968 Warsaw, Poland
Maciej Płaszewski: Department of Rehabilitation, Faculty of Physical Education and Health in Biała Podlaska, Józef Piłsudski University of Physical Education, 00-968 Warsaw, Poland

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 18, 1-10

Abstract: Despite a clear and convincing evidence base and strong recommendations for pregnant women to maintain regular moderate physical activity throughout pregnancy, many of them reduce or discontinue exercise altogether. This is due to pregnancy-related difficulties and barriers. The aim of this protocol is to describe a qualitative research methodology for a study exploring the experiences of women who managed to achieve the recommended levels of physical activity throughout their pregnancy by regularly participating in a specially designed “Conscious nine months” exercise programme. A qualitative descriptive design will be used, including semi-structured in-depth literature-based interviews, together with thematic analysis. Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ) guidelines will be used. In-depth individual interviews (60–90 min) with exercise programme participants, used together with a thematic analysis process, will allow for a better understanding and exploration of what enabled the participants to achieve such high adherence to the overall exercise programme. The chosen methodology offers a structured way for researchers to explore the experiences and factors that influence the ability of pregnant women to be physically active, enabling research into how pregnant women can be supported to remain active during this special, often challenging time in life.

Keywords: pregnancy; physical activity; regular exercise programme; qualitative research (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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