Table 2 Attitudes of practitioners to key questions (N = 96)
Statement | Numbers (%) of responders who indicated | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Strongly agree | Agree | Disagree | Strongly disagree | |
Exercising during pregnancy is beneficial | 64 (67) | 30 (31) | 2 (2) | 0 (0) |
Advising patients on exercise during pregnancy is not a major component of prenatal care | 4 (4) | 17 (18) | 41(43) | 34 (35) |
Pregnant patients follow the advice given during their office visits | 7 (7) | 64 (67) | 23 (24) | 2 (2) |
A sedentary woman, with an uncomplicated pregnancy, should not begin an exercise programme during pregnancy | 6 (6) | 11 (12) | 58 (60) | 21 (22) |
Pregnant women who are chronic exercisers should be encouraged to continue an exercise programme throughout pregnancy | 42 (44) | 47 (49) | 7 (7) | 0 (0) |
Pregnant women should not participate in a strength-training programme during pregnancy | 12 (13) | 28 (29) | 47 (49) | 9 (9) |
During pregnancy, women should be recommended to exercise at a moderate intensity | 31 (32) | 59 (62) | 6 (6) | 0 (0) |
Exercise during pregnancy increases the risk of low birth weight babies | 4 (4) | 7 (7) | 48 (50) | 37 (39) |
The possible harmful effects of exercise on the foetus are minimal if not non-existent | 26 (27) | 57 (59) | 7 (7) | 6 (6) |