Abstract des Autors

The aim of the study was to compare pregnant women pursuing physical activity with those inactive during pregnancy for their affective states and anxiety in the situation of visualized labor. Participants in the study were 199 women aged 19 to 38 years, in the second or third trimester of uncomplicated first pregnancy. The exercise subgroup (n=135) consisted of pregnant women participating in exercise programs and exercising systematically at least twice a week, while the inactive group (n=64) included those who never participated in any form of physical exercise during pregnancy. The following standard psychological instruments were used: the Profile of Mood States (POMS) by Dudek & Koniarek, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) by Wrześniewski et al. (the trait anxiety subscale), as well as the state anxiety subscale of the STAI with instruction modified for the purposes of this study. Pregnant women participating in exercise program were characterized by a better mood and lower anxiety when visualizing labor. The trimester of pregnancy did not differ the levels of emotional states. Trait anxiety as controlled variable was significantly related to emotional states and labor anxiety. The findings confirm a beneficial role of physical activity as a factor improving pregnant women’s quality of life. Verf.-Referat