Exercise Benefits and Barriers in Pregnancy

Validity and Reliability of Turkish Version Exercise Benefits/Barriers Scale in Pregnant Women

The aim of this study is to examine the validity and reliability of the Exercise Benefits/Barriers Scale in pregnant women. It will contribute to raising awareness about engaging in physical activity and exercise during pregnancy in the pregnant population through the applied questionnaires.

Regular physical activity (PA) and exercise during pregnancy help protect the health of both the mother and the baby by reducing the risk of excessive gestational weight gain, hypertension, gestational diabetes, venous problems, and birth-related complications. They also have positive effects on sleep, stress, anxiety, depression, and overall quality of life. However, PA participation rates during pregnancy are low and tend to decline as pregnancy progresses through the trimesters. Hormonal and physiological changes, weight gain, fatigue, and psychological disturbances are among the main factors limiting participation. Therefore, identifying the barriers to PA during pregnancy and developing strategies to address them is essential. Assessing perceptions of the benefits and barriers to exercise can guide interventions aimed at increasing PA levels. This study aims to determine the validity and reliability of the Exercise Benefits/Barriers Scale in pregnant women, with the expectation that its findings will provide valuable evidence for both scientific research and clinical practice.

Inclusion Criteria for Study Group:

1. Being between 18 and 45 years of age,
2. Being in the second or third trimester of pregnancy,
3. Being literate in Turkish,
4. Willingness to participate in the study.

Exclusion Criteria for Study Group:

1. Presence of pregnancy complications that may prevent physical activity and exercise (e.g., preeclampsia, vaginal bleeding, heart disease),
2. Presence of orthopedic or neurological problems that may hinder participation in the study,
3. Presence of visual, auditory, or cognitive impairments severe enough to prevent participation in the study,
4. Multiple pregnancy.

Inclusion Criteria for Control Group:

1. Being between 18 and 45 years of age,
2. Female sex,
3. Being literate in Turkish,
4. Willingness to participate in the study.

Exclusion Criteria for Control Group:

1. Having a disease severe enough to prevent physical activity and exercise (e.g., endocrine and metabolic disorders, cardiopulmonary diseases),
2. Presence of orthopedic or neurological problems that may hinder participation in the study,
3. Presence of visual, auditory, or cognitive impairments severe enough to prevent participation in the study,
4. Participation in another experimental or drug study during the study period,
5. Being pregnant or suspected of pregnancy,
6. Having experienced pregnancy, childbirth, or surgical intervention within the last six months.