Women Movement Behaviors During Pregnancy and 2 Years After Childbirth: Physical Activity, Sedentary Time, Sleep, and Rhythm Changes in a Brazilian Birth Cohort

Andrea Wendt, Rafaela Costa Martins, Adriana Kramer Fiala Machado, Luiza I.C. Ricardo, Shana Ginar da Silva, Bruna Gonçalves Cordeiro da Silva, Gregore I. Mielke, Marlos Rodrigues Domingues, Pedro C. Hallal, Inácio Crochemore-Silva

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Objective: To describe physical activity (PA), sleep, and rhythm patterns during 24-hr cycles from the second trimester of pregnancy up to 2 years after childbirth. Methods: This longitudinal study used data from mothers of the 2015 Pelotas Birth Cohort (Brazil). Women were invited to wear the accelerometer during 7 days on the nondominant wrist during the second trimester of pregnancy and 2 years after childbirth. Data collected included PA, sleep, and rhythm variables. We compared the means/medians of variables during the pregnancy and 2 years after the childbirth. We also describe the shape of acceleration across the day in the two evaluated periods and stratified this curve according to covariables. Results: This study includes data from 1,293 women with valid accelerometer data for both periods. The nonbouted moderate-to-vigorous PA average was 94 min during pregnancy and increased to 122 min 2 years after childbirth (p < .001). Sleep decreased by 11 min (388–377 min; p < .001) in the evaluated period. The pattern of acceleration across the day did not change in the evaluated period with two marked spikes of activity at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. The amount of activity, however, increased. Conclusions: These findings may be helpful to better understand changes in PA and sleep during this specific period of life and assist in planning recommendations.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1-8
Number of pages8
JournalWomen in Sport and Physical Activity Journal
Volume32
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 2024

Keywords

  • accelerometer
  • cohort studies
  • physical fitness
  • return to work

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Gender Studies
  • Education
  • Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation

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