CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
In recent years, there has been a great increase of knowledge
derived from scientific studies regarding physical exercise during
pregnancy (Mason et al, 2010). This reflects the need to clarify their
effects for mother and fetus, as some women of childbearing age report
exercising and may continue their exercise practice during pregnancy,
whereas other sedentary women may start this practice only during
pregnancy.
As the effects of healthy lifestyle are well
known and supported by studies that show it is safe for both mother and
fetus, physical exercise is recommended activity for pregnant women.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that
all healthy pregnant women follow the American College of Sports
Medicine-Centers for Disease Control and Preventions general guidelines
for physical exercise by engaging in 30 min or more of moderate
physical activity per day in the majority or preferably all days of the
week. Women who were active before pregnancy may continue their
activities, but change intensity and frequency over the course of
pregnancy. Other guidelines for physical exercise during pregnancy and
the postpartum period have been published, such as the Canadian
guidelines for exercise during pregnancy in 2003, and the
recommendations of the Royal College of Obstetricians and
Gynaecologists in 2006. Some researchers argue for the necessity of
incorporating strength training and muscle conditioning, revising the
definition of moderate exercise, and increasing the amount of vigorous
intensity exercises and weekly physical activity expenditure.
Aerobic exercise is recommended to maintain
cardiovascular fitness and to help prevent chronic diseases, apart from
avoiding excessive weight gain (Valim et al, 2011). They should involve
large muscle groups in activities such as when walking or jogging,
using stationary bicycle, treadmill, swimming, water aerobics
exercises, aerobic dance, or low-impact aerobics. Regardless of the
choice of activity, it is important that women find a modality of
exercise to which they will adhere over the long term. Those exercises
that increase the risk of falling, abdominal traumas and contacts
sports should be contraindicated (Valim et al, 2011).
Recent recommendations add strength training to
the routine exercise of pregnant women. They suggest that light strength
training during second and third trimesters does not affect newborn
size or overall health. These effects have been rarely studied,
although many women looking for muscle conditioning during pregnancy
think that practices such as Pilates and yoga, circuit-type resistance
training, and weight training could be beneficial (Artal & O’Tolle,
2003). The possible benefits of increasing strength and stretching
training are improvement in overall body strength, good posture and
body core strengthening that may contribute in labor, birth, and
prevent musculoskeletal discomforts. In addition, pelvic floor muscle
strengthening is also an important component in pregnant women’s
exercise. Routine exercise is required to reduce the prevalence of
urinary incontinence. Nevertheless, there is little evidence-based
literature concerning these practices, so it should be recommended to
be careful when women plan to be engaged in these activities, mainly
when starting only during pregnancy. Attention should also be paid in
avoiding exercise in supine position during the second half of pregnancy
in order to prevent hypotension and avoid the Valsalva maneuver
throughout the pregnancy.
Previously, sedentary women should start with 15
min of exercise three times a week and gradually increase to 30 min four
times a week at low-to moderate intensity. Active women may keep their
routine exercise or perform at least moderate-to vigorous exercise
four times a week in sessions of 30 min or more. Athletes or women who
have higher fitness status should be evaluated individually. Some
high-impact activities or sports with fall or trauma risks should be
avoided, and the intensity of exercise like running should be reduced.
For all, brief warm-up and cool-down periods should be incorporated to
each session of exercise.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
In Nigeria, there has been increased awareness about the benefits
of exercise among pregnant women. Some clinical trials have been
conducted to evaluate the effect of exercise on maternal outcome such as
low back/pelvic pain, depression during pregnancy and postpartum,
gestational weight gain and excessive weight gain, gestational diabetes
and insulin resistance, urinary incontinence symptoms, cardiovascular
fitness, and the impact of exercise on quality of life and health
status perception.
Musculoskeletal discomforts such as lower back, pelvic, and/or
joint pain are common complaints during pregnancy associated with the
anatomical adaptations during pregnancy and previous risks factors.
However, active women were able to better handle the condition.
Musculoskeletal pain can also be attenuated with physical activity in
some women who present mild pelvic and lumbar discomfort. So, this
study is coming at the right time to assess the perception of pregnant
women in Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State on the benefits of
exercise during pregnancy.
1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The following are the objectives of this study:
- To examine the perception of pregnant women in Ikwo Local
Government Area of Ebonyi State on the benefits of exercise during
pregnancy.
- To examine the importance and benefits of exercise among pregnant women.
- To identify the outcome of exercise among pregnant women.
1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
- What is the perception of pregnant women in Ikwo Local
Government Area of Ebonyi State on the benefits of exercise during
pregnancy?
- What is the importance and benefits of exercise among pregnant women?
- What is the outcome of exercise among pregnant women?
1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The following are the significance of this study:
- The result from this study will reveal the perception of
pregnant women on exercise. The outcome of this study will also educate
on the benefits and outcome of regular exercise by pregnant women.
- This research will be a contribution to the body of literature
in the area of the effect of personality trait on student’s academic
performance, thereby constituting the empirical literature for future
research in the subject area.
1.7 SCOPE/LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY
This study will cover the views of the women of Ikwo Local
Government Area of Ebonyi State on exercise among pregnant women.
LIMITATION OF STUDY
Financial constraint- Insufficient fund tends to
impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant
materials, literature or information and in the process of data
collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
Time constraint- The researcher will
simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This
consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work
