Thesis
Perceptions of social feedback for exercising at fitness facilities during pregnancy
Master of Science (M.S.), Drexel University
Jul 2016
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/etd-6943
Abstract
This research helps fill the gap in the literature relative to examining pregnant women's exercise experience during pregnancy. Specifically, women's perceptions of social feedback they received at fitness facilities as their pregnancy became more apparent to others. This manuscript summarizes the general benefits of exercise, exercise during pregnancy, rates of exercise and misconceptions of exercise during pregnancy, factors influencing exercise during pregnancy, plus the promotion of exercise during pregnancy. This study explored women's perceptions of the social feedback that they received from others while exercising at fitness facilities as their pregnancy became more apparent to others. Factors that may contribute to exercise behavior during pregnancy include physical, situational, social, and personal factors, both pregnancy and nonpregnancy related. Some of these factors, as discussed below, have already been documented in the literature. The aim of the current study was to identify an additional social factor that may influence women's exercise efforts during pregnancy. That factor is perceived social feedback received from others while exercising at a fitness facility as the pregnancy became more apparent to others. Of the 772 women who initiated the survey, 107 met the screening criteria and were included in the Chi squared and crosstabs analyses. Women reported that they perceived a significant change in positive social feedback or changes in the amount of negative feedback as their pregnancy became more apparent to others. Anecdotal reports of women exercising during pregnancy focus on the negative feedback received, but it was shown here that a change in positive feedback also occurs. Given sampling limitations, results should be replicated with a larger, more diverse sample and fully powered analyses. As exercise during pregnancy is important for women, it is hoped that future research will address how perceived changes in positive feedback contributes to women's exercise behaviors.
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Details
- Title
- Perceptions of social feedback for exercising at fitness facilities during pregnancy
- Creators
- Kimberly G. Konka - DU
- Contributors
- Pamela A. Geller (Advisor) - Drexel University (1970-)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Master of Science (M.S.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Psychological and Brain Sciences (Psychology); College of Arts and Sciences; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 6943; 991014632388804721