Effects of Antenatal Exercise Programme and Education on Health Related Quality of Life: A Randomised Controlled Trial

Introduction: Women experience significant physiological and anatomical adaptations during pregnancy to meet the maternal and foetal demands. Most of the women stop exercising or reduce their routine physical activity during pregnancy. Sedentary lifestyle during pregnancy leads to maternal discomforts and complications. Aim: To evaluate the effect of structured antenatal exercise programme and education on health-related quality of life. Materials and Methods: In this randomised controlled trial 186 mothers were recruited for the study. A total of 94 Participants were selected as the study group samples and 92 were chosen as the control group as per block randomisation method. The study group received structured antenatal classes and education from 20-weeks of gestational age in addition to routine antenatal care where as the control group received routine antenatal care and antenatal exercises. SF 36 questionnaire-V2 was assessed at baseline and 32-weeks of gestation. Comparison of psychometrically-based Physical Component Summary (PCS) and Mental Component Summary (MCS) scores were done using paired and unpaired t-test. Results: A significant difference in the PCS and MCS values between the groups at 32-weeks (p-value<0.05) was observed. The results showed that the exercise programme benefitted the study group. Exercise during pregnancy increased the beta endorphin levels and decrease the perception of pain and could contribute of better improvement in physical and mental health of the participants. Conclusion: The health-related quality of life of pregnant women were improved by the 12-week antenatal exercise programme and education.