Author(s): SANTOS-ROCHA, R., PRIOR-DE-FREITAS, J., CASTRO, B., PINTO, A., GODINHO, D., SILVA-SANTOS, S., SZUMILEWICZ, A., Institution: SPORT SCIENCES SCHOOL OF RIO MAIOR - POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE OF SANTARÉM, Country: PORTUGAL, Abstract-ID: 923

INTRODUCTION:
Physical activity (PA) and exercise during pregnancy provide substantial health and fitness benefits and help prevent various conditions for both mother and baby. Effective strategies to maintain or increase PA and promote adherence to supervised exercise programs are therefore essential.
The aim of this descriptive study was to evaluate the feasibility of a supervised exercise intervention.
METHODS:
Healthy women who participated in a 12-week supervised exercise program during the 2nd and 3rd trimesters of pregnancy completed a 16-item online questionnaire assessing adherence, satisfaction, perceived effects, adverse events, and barriers and motivators for participation. The program adhered to official (1-3) guidelines for PA during pregnancy and was delivered by qualified prenatal exercise professionals, either in person or via live virtual sessions. The protocol (4) was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06954454). Sessions lasted 45–60 min and included multi-component exercises. Participants attended at least 2 sessions/wk. Feasibility was assessed through adherence, retention, safety, satisfaction, and acceptability.
RESULTS:
142 women (34±4y) completed the questionnaire; 81% had higher education. 42% attended the virtual program and 58% the in-person program. 81% exercised at least 2–3 times/wk, and 65.7% attended >75% of sessions. Main barriers to full attendance were scheduling (23%), personal circumstances (8%), and distance to the setting (4.6%). 79.7% felt more motivated training in a group, and 97.2% felt safer and more motivated under professional supervision. Most participants (>91%) preferred groups of up to 10 women, were very satisfied with the program, and with the exercise professionals. 95% perceived improvements in fitness. Common benefits included increased motivation to exercise (67.8%), reduced pregnancy-related discomfort (62.2%), and greater daily energy (60.1%). No harmful effects were reported by 94.4%, and minor complaints by 5.6%. Nearly all participants would recommend the program to others. 95.8% would participate again in a future pregnancy, and 79.7% intended to continue exercising postpartum.
CONCLUSION:
Both delivery formats demonstrated high adherence, satisfaction, safety, and overall acceptability. Attendance rates exceeded 75%, and no serious adverse events occurred, indicating good tolerability. Structured group sessions and professional supervision were central to sustained engagement.
Supervised prenatal exercise programs were feasible and safe, with promising perceived benefits to fitness and well-being.
1)10.1136/bjsports-2018-100056
2)10.1097/AOG.0000000000003772
3)10.5603/GP.a2023.0080
4)10.1136/bmjsem-2025-002767
This work was supported by Santarém Polytechnic University & SPRINT-Sport Physical Activity and Health Research & Innovation Center [FCT-Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia-Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology] [UID/06185/2025], within the scope of the Active Pregnancy Project [2023.14896.PEX].