The relationship between physical activity and sleep among pregnant women

Statement of problemFew studies have examined the influence of physical activity on sleep among pregnant women. To examine the potential sleep-enhancing benefits of physical activity among pregnant women and to therefore see if physical activity may serve as a non-pharmacological treatment for sleep disturbances during pregnancy, this study’s purpose was to examine the association between objectively-measured physical activity and sleep among a nationally representative sample of U.S. pregnant women.MethodsData from the National Health and Examination Survey 2005–2006 was used for the present study. 138 pregnant women who had worn an ActiGraph 7164 accelerometer on the right hip for at least 4 days for a minimum of 10 h per day were identified. Questions on sleep were asked during the household interview.ResultsOf the 22 sleeping-related parameters assessed, physical activity was only associated with two. After controlling for depression, gestation, income and parity, for every 1-min increase in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, pregnant women were 17% less likely to have difficulty finishing a meal because of being tired or sleepy (OR = 1.17, 95% CI: 0.98–1.38, p = 0.06).ConclusionOur data suggests a weak relationship between objectively-measured physical activity and sleep. Additional research using a larger sample of pregnant women, as well as experimental studies, are needed to determine the extent to which physical activity may assist in improving sleeping-related parameters among pregnant women.

► This study used a national sample of pregnant women.
► Physical activity was measured objectively using accelerometry.
► Active pregnant women were less likely to have difficulty finishing a meal because of being tired or sleepy.