COMPARISON OF CARDIOPULMONARY FITNESS, LEVEL OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN 2ND AND 3RD TRIMESTER OF PREGNANCY: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.71000/7m4mmt93Keywords:
Blood Pressure, Exercise Test, Heart Rate, Oxygen Saturation, Physical Activity, Pregnancy, Quality of Life.Abstract
Background: Pregnancy is characterized by progressive physiological and psychosocial adaptations that may influence cardiopulmonary fitness, physical activity levels, and quality of life, particularly during the second and third trimesters. Alterations in cardiovascular dynamics, metabolic demand, and musculoskeletal function can affect maternal functional capacity and perceived well-being. Understanding these interrelationships is essential to guide safe physical activity recommendations and optimize maternal health during gestation.
Objective: To compare cardiopulmonary fitness, physical activity levels, and quality of life among women in their second and third trimesters of pregnancy.
Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted in the Gynecology Department of Shalamar Hospital. A total of 240 pregnant women aged 18–40 years in their second and third trimesters were recruited using purposive sampling after informed consent. Quality of life was assessed using the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL) instrument, and physical activity was measured using the Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire (PPAQ). Cardiopulmonary fitness was evaluated using a standardized three-minute step test. Heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and oxygen saturation were recorded before and immediately after exercise. Data were analyzed using appropriate descriptive and comparative statistical tests.
Results: The mean baseline heart rate was 90.07 ± 11.22 bpm, increasing to 93.50 ± 20.49 bpm post-exercise, indicating a measurable cardiovascular response. Systolic blood pressure averaged 119.09 ± 10.70 mmHg in the second trimester and 118.69 ± 10.55 mmHg in the third trimester, while diastolic values were 77.47 ± 6.88 mmHg and 77.23 ± 7.12 mmHg, respectively, with 72.6% remaining normotensive before and after activity. Oxygen saturation showed a slight reduction from 98.33 ± 1.05% to 98.14 ± 1.40% following exercise. Mean physical activity scores were 50.86 ± 8.53 in the second trimester and 50.62 ± 8.45 in the third trimester. Overall quality of life scores were 89.0 ± 6.89 and 87.84 ± 6.88, respectively, with health satisfaction marginally lower in the third trimester.
Conclusion: Cardiopulmonary responsiveness remained stable across trimesters, while physical activity and perceived health satisfaction declined slightly in late pregnancy. These findings support the safety of supervised moderate exercise and emphasize the importance of individualized monitoring to maintain maternal well-being.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Sameen Athar, Hamna Afzal, Wajeeha Yousaf, Ayesha Fatima, Muhammad Hamza, Zara Zahid, Inam ul Haq, Usama Naeem, Nadia Anwer (Author)
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