Influence of Physical Activity on Self-Esteem and Anxiety during Pregnancy: A Longitudinal Prospective Study

Women’s pregnancy increases the odds of developing anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. Physical activity can reduce the severity of maternal mental disorders and postpartum symptoms. The aim was to evaluate self-esteem, anxiety, and physical activity patterns among healthy pregnant women durin...

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Main Authors: Paula Clara Santos, Diana Bernardo, Pedro Pugliesi Abdalla, Raquel Leirós-Rodríguez, Leonardo Santos Lopes da Silva, Cristina Mesquita, Jorge Mota, Dalmo Machado
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-09-01
Series:Women
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4184/4/4/26
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author Paula Clara Santos
Diana Bernardo
Pedro Pugliesi Abdalla
Raquel Leirós-Rodríguez
Leonardo Santos Lopes da Silva
Cristina Mesquita
Jorge Mota
Dalmo Machado
author_facet Paula Clara Santos
Diana Bernardo
Pedro Pugliesi Abdalla
Raquel Leirós-Rodríguez
Leonardo Santos Lopes da Silva
Cristina Mesquita
Jorge Mota
Dalmo Machado
author_sort Paula Clara Santos
collection DOAJ
description Women’s pregnancy increases the odds of developing anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. Physical activity can reduce the severity of maternal mental disorders and postpartum symptoms. The aim was to evaluate self-esteem, anxiety, and physical activity patterns among healthy pregnant women during three gestational trimesters (GTs). A longitudinal prospective study involving 248 Portuguese pregnant women, monitored for a year during all GTs, was conducted. Self-reported questionnaires were used to collect personal and obstetric data, and Rosenberg’s Self-Esteem Scale, Zung Anxiety Scale, and a Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire were applied. A total of 152 women presented valid follow-up data considered for analysis. All test scores do not present normality (<i>p</i> < 0.001). Over the gestational trimesters, the Zung anxiety scores did not show a significant change between GTs. However, the self-esteem values reduced significantly from 1st to 2nd GT: (1st GT = 43.94 (±9.94) [95%CI: 42.37 to 45.53]; 2nd GT = 27.27 (±9.64) [95%CI: 25.74 to 28.81]; 3rd GT = 25.71 (±10.52) [95%CI: 24.04 to 27.39]; <i>p</i> < 0.001), remaining stable in the last GT. Moderate to vigorous (2nd GT = 73.43 (±88.69) [95%CI: 59.34 to 87.54]; 3rd GT = 65.05 (±82.65) [95%CI: 51.92 to 78.19]; <i>p</i> = 0.008), vigorous (1st GT = 0.45 (±3.95) [95%CI: 0.83 to 2.08]; 2nd GT = 1.63 (±3.52) [95%CI: 1.07 to 2.19]; 3rd GT = 0.81 (±2.16) [95%CI: 0.46 to 1.15]; <i>p</i> = 0.0475), and light (2nd GT = 101.68 (±48.77) [95%CI: 93.93 to 109.44]; 3rd GT = 98.42 (±49.05) [95%CI: 90.62 to 106.22]; <i>p</i> < 0.001) physical activity levels were significantly reduced throughout the GTs, but the time spent in sedentary activities did not change. In this follow-up study, it was possible to identify a critical point in the 2nd GT, when the drastic reduction in physical activity levels coincided with periods of lower self-esteem scores. However, anxiety levels do not seem to change over GTs.
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spelling doaj-art-f2005a2934904a17b15c7ca24aab39d22024-12-27T14:59:42ZengMDPI AGWomen2673-41842024-09-014434035010.3390/women4040026Influence of Physical Activity on Self-Esteem and Anxiety during Pregnancy: A Longitudinal Prospective StudyPaula Clara Santos0Diana Bernardo1Pedro Pugliesi Abdalla2Raquel Leirós-Rodríguez3Leonardo Santos Lopes da Silva4Cristina Mesquita5Jorge Mota6Dalmo Machado7Departamento de Fisioterapia, Escola Superior de Saúde, Instituto Politécnico do Porto, 4249-015 Porto, PortugalDepartmento de Fisioterapia, Escola Superior de Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, 5300-253 Bragança, PortugalStudy and Research Group in Anthropometry, Training, and Sport (GEPEATE), School of Physical Education and Sport of Ribeirao Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14040-900, SP, BrazilSALBIS Research Group, Nursing and Physical Therapy Department, University of Leon, Astorga Ave, 15, 24401 Ponferrada, SpainStudy and Research Group in Anthropometry, Training, and Sport (GEPEATE), School of Physical Education and Sport of Ribeirao Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14040-900, SP, BrazilDepartamento de Fisioterapia, Escola Superior de Saúde, Instituto Politécnico do Porto, 4249-015 Porto, PortugalResearch Center in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure (CIAFEL), Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, 4200-450 Porto, PortugalStudy and Research Group in Anthropometry, Training, and Sport (GEPEATE), School of Physical Education and Sport of Ribeirao Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14040-900, SP, BrazilWomen’s pregnancy increases the odds of developing anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. Physical activity can reduce the severity of maternal mental disorders and postpartum symptoms. The aim was to evaluate self-esteem, anxiety, and physical activity patterns among healthy pregnant women during three gestational trimesters (GTs). A longitudinal prospective study involving 248 Portuguese pregnant women, monitored for a year during all GTs, was conducted. Self-reported questionnaires were used to collect personal and obstetric data, and Rosenberg’s Self-Esteem Scale, Zung Anxiety Scale, and a Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire were applied. A total of 152 women presented valid follow-up data considered for analysis. All test scores do not present normality (<i>p</i> < 0.001). Over the gestational trimesters, the Zung anxiety scores did not show a significant change between GTs. However, the self-esteem values reduced significantly from 1st to 2nd GT: (1st GT = 43.94 (±9.94) [95%CI: 42.37 to 45.53]; 2nd GT = 27.27 (±9.64) [95%CI: 25.74 to 28.81]; 3rd GT = 25.71 (±10.52) [95%CI: 24.04 to 27.39]; <i>p</i> < 0.001), remaining stable in the last GT. Moderate to vigorous (2nd GT = 73.43 (±88.69) [95%CI: 59.34 to 87.54]; 3rd GT = 65.05 (±82.65) [95%CI: 51.92 to 78.19]; <i>p</i> = 0.008), vigorous (1st GT = 0.45 (±3.95) [95%CI: 0.83 to 2.08]; 2nd GT = 1.63 (±3.52) [95%CI: 1.07 to 2.19]; 3rd GT = 0.81 (±2.16) [95%CI: 0.46 to 1.15]; <i>p</i> = 0.0475), and light (2nd GT = 101.68 (±48.77) [95%CI: 93.93 to 109.44]; 3rd GT = 98.42 (±49.05) [95%CI: 90.62 to 106.22]; <i>p</i> < 0.001) physical activity levels were significantly reduced throughout the GTs, but the time spent in sedentary activities did not change. In this follow-up study, it was possible to identify a critical point in the 2nd GT, when the drastic reduction in physical activity levels coincided with periods of lower self-esteem scores. However, anxiety levels do not seem to change over GTs.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4184/4/4/26self-conceptbehavior and behavior mechanismsgravidityemotionsdepressive disorderexercise
spellingShingle Paula Clara Santos
Diana Bernardo
Pedro Pugliesi Abdalla
Raquel Leirós-Rodríguez
Leonardo Santos Lopes da Silva
Cristina Mesquita
Jorge Mota
Dalmo Machado
Influence of Physical Activity on Self-Esteem and Anxiety during Pregnancy: A Longitudinal Prospective Study
Women
self-concept
behavior and behavior mechanisms
gravidity
emotions
depressive disorder
exercise
title Influence of Physical Activity on Self-Esteem and Anxiety during Pregnancy: A Longitudinal Prospective Study
title_full Influence of Physical Activity on Self-Esteem and Anxiety during Pregnancy: A Longitudinal Prospective Study
title_fullStr Influence of Physical Activity on Self-Esteem and Anxiety during Pregnancy: A Longitudinal Prospective Study
title_full_unstemmed Influence of Physical Activity on Self-Esteem and Anxiety during Pregnancy: A Longitudinal Prospective Study
title_short Influence of Physical Activity on Self-Esteem and Anxiety during Pregnancy: A Longitudinal Prospective Study
title_sort influence of physical activity on self esteem and anxiety during pregnancy a longitudinal prospective study
topic self-concept
behavior and behavior mechanisms
gravidity
emotions
depressive disorder
exercise
url https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4184/4/4/26
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