Perception of physical exercise in Turkish pregnant women and affecting factors

Objective This study investigated perceptions of physical exercise in Turkish pregnant women and affecting factors.Methods This descriptive study was conducted between 15 May 2016 and 30 December 2016 at a maternity hospital in Istanbul, Turkey. The sample consisted of 331 pregnant women who agreed to participate in the study. A Questionnaire Form and the Exercise Benefit and Obstacle Scale were used to collect the data of the study.Results The mean age of the participants was 29.18 ± 7.02 years. The body mass index of 13% of the pregnant women was ≥30, and 19.3% of them gained ≥14 kg during their pregnancy. In the study, 27.8% of the pregnant women were found to be walking as exercise. The first three factors that prevented exercise during pregnancy were the distance of exercise facilities (60.4%), that the programmes in the facilities were not suitable for pregnant women (56.5%) and the insufficient number of exercise facilities (55.3%). The relationship between the women's pre-pregnancy sports experiences, exercise during pregnancy, distance of exercise facilities and insufficient number of exercise facilities and their mean exercise obstacle score was significant (p <.05).Conclusion In the study, a small number of pregnant women walked as an exercise. It is recommended to expand exercise facilities and create exercise programmes for pregnant women.