AFIPE Research Group, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
Kinesiology, Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, Brock University St. Catharines, St. Catharines, Canada.
BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2022 Mar 25;22(1):251. doi: 10.1186/s12884-022-04587-1.
Prenatal anxiety and depressive symptoms have significantly increased since the onset of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic In addition, home confinement regulations have caused a drastic increase in time spent sedentary. Online group fitness classes may be an effective strategy that can increase maternal physical activity levels and improve mental health outcomes by providing an opportunity for social connectedness. The present study explores the experiences of pregnant women who participated in an online group exercise program during the pandemic and identifies relationships with maternal mental health and well-being. In addition, we present person-informed recommendations on how to improve the delivery of future online prenatal exercise programs.
Semi-structured interviews were conducted with pregnant women (8-39 weeks of pregnancy) who participated in an online group exercise program, from March to October 2020 in Spain. A phenomenological approach was taken, and open-ended questions were asked to understand women's experiences throughout the pandemic and the role the online exercise classes may have had on their physical activity levels, mental health, and other health behaviours such as diet. A thematic analysis was performed to evaluate data. In addition, women completed the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and these data supplemented qualitative findings.
Twenty-four women were interviewed, and the anxiety scores were on average 32.23 ± 9.31, ranging from low to moderate levels. Thematic analysis revealed that women felt safe exercising from home, an increased availability of time to schedule a structured exercise class, and consequently an improvement in their adherence to the program and other behaviours (i.e., healthier diet). Women emphasized feeling connected to other pregnant women when they exercised online together, and overall, this had a positive effect on their mental well-being. Women suggested that future online exercise programs should include flexible options, detailed instructions and facilitation by a qualified exercise professional.
Pregnant women are receptive to online group exercise classes and expressed that they are an accessible option to accommodating physical activity during the pandemic. In addition, the online group environment provides an important sense of connectivity among pregnant women exercising together and this may mitigate the detrimental effect of COVID-19 on maternal mental health.
自冠状病毒（COVID-19）大流行开始以来，产前焦虑和抑郁症状显著增加。此外，居家隔离规定导致久坐时间急剧增加。在线团体健身课程可能是一种有效的策略，可以通过提供社交联系的机会来增加产妇的身体活动水平并改善心理健康结果。本研究探讨了在大流行期间参加在线团体运动计划的孕妇的经验，并确定了与产妇心理健康和幸福感的关系。此外，我们还提出了一些基于个人的建议，以改善未来在线产前运动计划的实施。
2020 年 3 月至 10 月，在西班牙对参加在线团体运动计划的孕妇（怀孕 8-39 周）进行了半结构式访谈。采用现象学方法，提出开放式问题，以了解妇女在整个大流行期间的经历，以及在线运动课程可能对她们的身体活动水平、心理健康和其他健康行为（如饮食）的作用。进行了主题分析以评估数据。此外，妇女还完成了状态-特质焦虑量表，这些数据补充了定性发现。
共对 24 名妇女进行了访谈，焦虑评分平均为 32.23±9.31，范围从低到中度。主题分析显示，妇女在家中感到安全，可以更方便地安排结构化的锻炼课程，从而提高了对该计划的依从性和其他行为（即更健康的饮食）。妇女强调在网上一起运动时与其他孕妇保持联系，总的来说，这对她们的心理健康有积极的影响。妇女建议，未来的在线运动计划应包括灵活的选择、详细的说明和由合格的运动专业人员提供的便利。
孕妇对在线团体运动课程持欢迎态度，并表示这是在大流行期间进行身体活动的一种便捷选择。此外，在线团体环境为一起运动的孕妇提供了重要的联系感，这可以减轻 COVID-19 对产妇心理健康的不利影响。
