pregnancy among women who perform regular resistance training: a qualitative study. Phys

Background: Pregnant healthy women are recommended to do 30 minutes or more of light to moderate exercise a day on most, if not all, days of the week. However, only one out of six pregnant women in the US follows recommendations. Little attention has been given to the experience of exercise in pregnancy. Objectives: The aim of the present study was to describe experiences of exercise during pregnancy among women who performed regular resistance training. Design: This study was a qualitative inductive content analysis study. Methods: Seventeen pregnant women who exercised on a regular basis participated in individual semi-structured face-to-face interviews that were recorded, transcribed, coded and condensed into sub-categories and categories. Results: Four categories emerged (sub-categories within parenthesis); positive impact on body and mind (reduced pregnancy-related problems, increased self-confidence and sense of control, immediate positive feedback, and effects on lifestyle and quality of life); expected benefits and facilitators (knowledge of health benefits, part of one’s lifestyle, preventin