Physical activity changes among non‐Hispanic Black pregnant women

Objective To examine aerobic physical activity (PA) among non‐Hispanic Black pregnant women. Design Longitudinal prospective cohort study. Sample A subset of 161 non‐Hispanic Black pregnant women from the Midwestern US participating in a larger study completed questionnaires about aerobic physical activity (PA) before pregnancy (reported at 24.46±2.13 weeks gestation), mid‐pregnancy (24.46±2.13 weeks gestation), and late pregnancy (31.78±1.95 weeks gestation). Measurements Aerobic PA was measured using the Rapid Assessment of Physical Activity (RAPA). Results Most participants reported being active prior to pregnancy (n = 101, 63%), with 60 (37%) underactive/sedentary. Aerobic RAPA scores were highest pre‐pregnancy (3.29±1.11, median = 4, interquartile range [IQR] = 1) compared with mid‐pregnancy (3.05±1.26, median = 4, IQR = 2) and late pregnancy (3.05±1.24, median = 4, IQR = 2). Pre‐pregnancy scores were significantly higher than mid‐pregnancy scores (Wilcoxon test = 1472, p = .008) and late pregnancy scores (Wilcoxon test = 1854, p = .01). Conclusion Most Black pregnant participants reported high levels of aerobic PA both before pregnancy and during pregnancy. However, many were underactive or sedentary. Aerobic PA decreased during pregnancy compared with pre‐pregnancy, without the drop in third trimester PA found in other populations. Providers should assess PA across pregnancy and promote adequate PA for maternal and infant health, particularly among Black women.