Detecting sleep and physical activity changes across the perinatal period using wearable technology

Abstract Background Pregnant women may not experience disruptions in sleep duration throughout the course of pregnancy, however, their sleep quality is dramatically impaired. Sleep quality deteriorates throughout pregnancy, reaching its lowest in the third trimester. The purpose of this study was to...

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Main Authors: Elizabeth A. Claydon, Christa L. Lilly, Erin D. Caswell, Dawna C. Quinn, Shon P. Rowan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2024-11-01
Series:BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-024-06991-1
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author Elizabeth A. Claydon
Christa L. Lilly
Erin D. Caswell
Dawna C. Quinn
Shon P. Rowan
author_facet Elizabeth A. Claydon
Christa L. Lilly
Erin D. Caswell
Dawna C. Quinn
Shon P. Rowan
author_sort Elizabeth A. Claydon
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Pregnant women may not experience disruptions in sleep duration throughout the course of pregnancy, however, their sleep quality is dramatically impaired. Sleep quality deteriorates throughout pregnancy, reaching its lowest in the third trimester. The purpose of this study was to understand the change in sleep patterns across the perinatal period, as well as the impact of physical activity on sleep. Methods A total of 18 physically active women trying to conceive wore a WHOOP strap (a fitness monitor) across the perinatal period. Daily behavior changes were tracked including time awake, hours in deep sleep, physical activity, and time in moderate to vigorous physical activity. Results Women maintained overall physical activity levels during and after pregnancy and averaged 20.70 min of physical activity and 6.97 h of sleep per day. Total time in awake hours increased postpartum. Moderate-vigorous physical activity minutes improved deep sleep hours overall (Est. = 0.003 h, p < 0.0001) and during pregnancy (Est. = 0.00001 h, p = 0.0004). Similar effects were found for all activity minutes, although in post pregnancy the moderating impact of activity minutes no longer maintained significance (p = 0.09).\. Conclusions Wearable technology, including fitness monitors such as WHOOP straps offer a convenient and less invasive way to track sleep and physical activity during the perinatal period. The findings of this study indicate a positive connection between sleep and engaging in moderate to vigorous activity and any activity throughout the perinatal period. These results may help inform clinical and practical recommendations for physical activity to improve sleep outcomes for pregnant women.
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spelling doaj-art-ec6ddd4ab7b848b99c1cd9d39c0f0d412025-08-20T02:38:35ZengBMCBMC Pregnancy and Childbirth1471-23932024-11-0124111010.1186/s12884-024-06991-1Detecting sleep and physical activity changes across the perinatal period using wearable technologyElizabeth A. Claydon0Christa L. Lilly1Erin D. Caswell2Dawna C. Quinn3Shon P. Rowan4Department of Social & Behavioral Sciences, West Virginia University School of Public HealthDepartment of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, West Virginia University School of Public HealthDepartment of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, West Virginia University School of Public HealthDepartment of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Baptist Memorial HospitalDepartment of Obstetrics & Gynecology, West Virginia University School of MedicineAbstract Background Pregnant women may not experience disruptions in sleep duration throughout the course of pregnancy, however, their sleep quality is dramatically impaired. Sleep quality deteriorates throughout pregnancy, reaching its lowest in the third trimester. The purpose of this study was to understand the change in sleep patterns across the perinatal period, as well as the impact of physical activity on sleep. Methods A total of 18 physically active women trying to conceive wore a WHOOP strap (a fitness monitor) across the perinatal period. Daily behavior changes were tracked including time awake, hours in deep sleep, physical activity, and time in moderate to vigorous physical activity. Results Women maintained overall physical activity levels during and after pregnancy and averaged 20.70 min of physical activity and 6.97 h of sleep per day. Total time in awake hours increased postpartum. Moderate-vigorous physical activity minutes improved deep sleep hours overall (Est. = 0.003 h, p < 0.0001) and during pregnancy (Est. = 0.00001 h, p = 0.0004). Similar effects were found for all activity minutes, although in post pregnancy the moderating impact of activity minutes no longer maintained significance (p = 0.09).\. Conclusions Wearable technology, including fitness monitors such as WHOOP straps offer a convenient and less invasive way to track sleep and physical activity during the perinatal period. The findings of this study indicate a positive connection between sleep and engaging in moderate to vigorous activity and any activity throughout the perinatal period. These results may help inform clinical and practical recommendations for physical activity to improve sleep outcomes for pregnant women.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-024-06991-1PregnancyMaternal healthSleepExerciseWearable technology
spellingShingle Elizabeth A. Claydon
Christa L. Lilly
Erin D. Caswell
Dawna C. Quinn
Shon P. Rowan
Detecting sleep and physical activity changes across the perinatal period using wearable technology
BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth
Pregnancy
Maternal health
Sleep
Exercise
Wearable technology
title Detecting sleep and physical activity changes across the perinatal period using wearable technology
title_full Detecting sleep and physical activity changes across the perinatal period using wearable technology
title_fullStr Detecting sleep and physical activity changes across the perinatal period using wearable technology
title_full_unstemmed Detecting sleep and physical activity changes across the perinatal period using wearable technology
title_short Detecting sleep and physical activity changes across the perinatal period using wearable technology
title_sort detecting sleep and physical activity changes across the perinatal period using wearable technology
topic Pregnancy
Maternal health
Sleep
Exercise
Wearable technology
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-024-06991-1
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