| dc.description.abstract | BACKGROUND: To date, there is very few studies investigating long-term effect on physical activity (PA) interventions during pregnancy, and none investigating the effect on PA levels. Also, few studies investigate how the interventions effect offspring. Children are directly influenced by their parents concerning healthy living, including physical activity and nutritional habits, therefore this study aimed to investigate if an exercise intervention during pregnancy had effect on long-term physical activity levels of the women and their children. METHODS: The study was a six-year follow-up of a randomized controlled trial. Previously sedentary primiparous women, mean age 30.7 ± 4 years, were randomized to an exercise group (EG) (n=52) or a control group (CG) (n=53) during pregnancy. The exercise intervention consisted of twelve weeks of supervised group exercise including cardiovascular and strength training, performed twice a week for 12 weeks. The followup was conducted as a standardized questionnaire telephone interview, with the outcome measures of total physical activity levels, exercise level, BMI and weight for both mother and offspring. Other measurements were adherence to health recommendations, motivation and barriers towards PA and self-perceived health, quality of life and well-being. MAIN RESULTS: No difference was found between groups in regards of total weekly PA, weekly exercise, BMI or weight. There was a significant difference in mean weight for the women attending all 24 exercise classes during pregnancy. No differences were found in any of the other outcome and none was found among offspring. CONCLUSION: Class-based exercise intervention showed no effect on long term PA levels between groups. Physical activity may have an effect on gestational weight gain when proper activity levels are reached, which again seems to have an effect on weight in long-term. | nb_NO |
