A pilot study on the effects of aquatic exercises on discomforts of pregnancy.

OBJECTIVES

To estimate the impact of an aquatic exercise program on perception of body image, participation in health-promoting behaviors, barriers to health-promoting participation, level of physical discomfort, and mobility.

DESIGN

A two-group, quasi-experimental, pretest/posttest design.

SAMPLE AND SETTING

A convenience sample of 40 nonexercising pregnant women who were at least 19 weeks gestation were recruited. Sixty percent of the sample was African American. Participants self-selected assignment to either the exercise or nonexercise group. Both groups completed self-report measures and underwent a mobility assessment. The exercise group participated in a 60-minute, 6-week aquatic exercise program three sessions per week. The control group was instructed to continue their normal activities of daily living.

RESULTS

Women who had participated in the aquatic exercise program reported significantly less physical discomfort, improved mobility, and improved body image and health-promoting behaviors as compared to control subjects.

CONCLUSIONS

Aquatic exercise during pregnancy may enhance physical functioning, decreasing maternal discomfort, improving maternal body image, and improving health-promoting behaviors.