In 2021, only around half of UK perinatal women (pregnant and up to one-year postpartum) carried out moderate-to-vigorous types of physical activity (such as walking fast, dancing, jogging, or weight training) throughout pregnancy and into postpartum.
We want to better understand why this figure is lower than that of the general female population. We hope to speak to pregnant and postpartum people about commonly reported factors that contribute to low levels of physical activity, including a lack of motivation, low level of support from important others, and a lack of informed guidance.
The aim of our research is to provide individuals and specialists with the knowledge and tools needed to improve exercise participation during pregnancy and postpartum.
We're recruiting participants until 31 May 2026.
You complete an online survey, which will take around 15 minutes.
During this, we will ask you questions about your thoughts, feelings and experiences of exercise during pregnancy and postpartum.
There is no monetary incentive for taking part in the study, but your contributions will help to improve women's health long-term.
To take part in this research study, you must be:
All data will be treated as confidential. Nobody outside the research team will be able to see your name or contact details — you'll be allocated a project code instead. We'll keep all information about you safe and secure.
After the study, we will keep some of the data to check the results. When we write the report, it will be done so in a way that you won't be identifiable.
Ethical approval sought from The University of Bath Biomedical Sciences Research Ethics Committee (reference: 3396-4825)
Find out more about related research studies you may want to take part in.
We're also running other research studies you may be interested in:
We need pregnant volunteers to help us research how fear of harm and motivation towards exercise affects exercise behaviours throughout pregnancy.
We need pregnant women and midwives to discuss their experiences relating to exercise guidance, information and support during pregnancy.
Join this research study
Read more and sign upIf you have any questions about this research study, please contact us.