{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,28]],"date-time":"2026-09-28T06:56:57Z","timestamp":1790578617984,"version":"4.1.0"},"reference-count":68,"publisher":"SAGE Publications","issue":"12","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,2,12]],"date-time":"2026-02-12T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1770854400000},"content-version":"tdm","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/page\/policies\/text-and-data-mining-license"}],"funder":[{"name":"university of nebraska omaha"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["journals.sagepub.com"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["J Health Psychol"],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2026,10]]},"abstract":"<jats:p>Physical activity (PA) is important for a woman\u2019s health particularly before pregnancy, yet many remain inactive during this time despite its benefits for themselves and their child. This qualitative descriptive study explored pregnant women\u2019s experiences with pre-pregnancy PA and the factors influencing their engagement. Using convenience sampling, data were collected from women across Nebraska between December 2023 and February 2024 via Zoom interviews. Thematic analysis, guided by the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), identified three key themes: (1) Behavioral attitudes - women recognized the benefits of PA but lacked awareness of guidelines; (2) Subjective norms - support from partners, family, and friends encouraged participation; and (3) Perceived behavioral control-barriers such as low motivation, time constraints, and environmental factors influenced engagement. Findings highlight the need for tailored interventions, social support, and education to enhance PA before pregnancy. Addressing barriers and leveraging enablers may improve maternal and infant health outcomes.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1177\/13591053261416570","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,2,12]],"date-time":"2026-02-12T08:14:32Z","timestamp":1770884072000},"page":"4768-4784","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/sage-journals-update-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Exploring pregnant women\u2019s perspectives on pre-pregnancy physical activity in Nebraska: A qualitative study"],"prefix":"10.1177","volume":"31","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-3143-2052","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Priyanka","family":"Chaudhary","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-6226-8107","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Gaurav","family":"Kumar","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"The University of Oklahoma Health Campus, OK, USA"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"John P.","family":"Rech","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"University of Nebraska Kearney, NE, USA"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-8023-914X","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Kailey","family":"Snyder","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"University of Nebraska Omaha, NE, USA"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Michaela","family":"Schenkelberg","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"University of Nebraska Omaha, NE, USA"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Danae","family":"Dinkel","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"University of Nebraska Omaha, NE, USA"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"179","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,2,12]]},"reference":[{"key":"e_1_3_5_2_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.5964\/jspp.v3i1.564"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_3_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph17124358"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_4_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/0749-5978(91)90020-T"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_5_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/s12905-025-03877-y"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_6_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/S2214-109X(18)30029-9"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_7_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1249\/MSS.0b013e3181a52100"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_8_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/2333393617742282"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_9_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1191\/1478088706qp063oa"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_10_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph18073380"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_11_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph16101840"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_12_1","article-title":"Evidence-based risk assessment and recommendations for physical activity clearance: Pregnancy","volume":"36","author":"Charlesworth S","year":"2011","unstructured":"Charlesworth S, Foulds HJ, Burr JF, et al. (2011) Evidence-based risk assessment and recommendations for physical activity clearance: Pregnancy. Applied Physiology Nutrition and Metabolism 36 (S1): S33\u2013S48.","journal-title":"Applied Physiology Nutrition and Metabolism"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_13_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1038\/s44294-025-00109-4"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_14_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/s13102-022-00524-z"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_15_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jsams.2016.06.007"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_16_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1207\/s15430421tip3903_2"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_17_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/s12884-016-0973-1"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_18_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/s12889-015-1553-4"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_19_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/s12966-015-0191-7"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_20_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s10995-009-0441-x"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_21_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1001\/jama.2017.1964"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_22_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jacc.2016.05.050"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_23_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/s12884-019-2707-7"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_24_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3390\/jcm8111830"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_25_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.nurpra.2016.07.005"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_26_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0232076"},{"issue":"2","key":"e_1_3_5_27_1","article-title":"The role of physical activity in preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum health","volume":"34","author":"Harrison CL","year":"2016","unstructured":"Harrison CL, Brown WJ, Hayman M, et al. (2016) The role of physical activity in preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum health. Seminars in Reproductive Medicine 34(2): e28\u2013e37.","journal-title":"Seminars in Reproductive Medicine"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_28_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/s12884-015-0479-2"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_29_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1093\/abm\/kaaa018"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_30_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/1049732316665344"},{"issue":"6","key":"e_1_3_5_31_1","article-title":"Improving women\u2019s preconceptional health: Findings from a randomized trial of the strong healthy women intervention in the Central Pennsylvania women\u2019s health study","volume":"18","author":"Hillemeier MM","year":"2008","unstructured":"Hillemeier MM, Downs DS, Feinberg ME, et al. (2008) Improving women\u2019s preconceptional health: Findings from a randomized trial of the strong healthy women intervention in the Central Pennsylvania women\u2019s health study. Women\u2019s Health Issues 18(6): S87\u2013S96.","journal-title":"Women\u2019s Health Issues"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_32_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3390\/nu15234939"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_33_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1123\/jpah.2012-0171"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_34_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1055\/a-0713-1058"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_35_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/13814788.2017.1375092"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_36_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/s12889-023-17154-w"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_37_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/1609406915621406"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_38_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3390\/sports7050127"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_39_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1111\/phn.12006"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_40_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1093\/humupd\/dmz013"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_41_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.midw.2017.05.007"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_42_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.4135\/9781412995658"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_43_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1136\/bmjopen-2022-065055"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_44_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s10995-016-2075-0"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_45_1","unstructured":"Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) (2020) Nebraska Health Disparities Report 2020. Available at: https:\/\/dhhs.ne.gov\/Reports\/Health%20Disparities%20Report%202020.pdf"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_46_1","unstructured":"Nebraska Public Health Atlas (2020) Nebraska Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) Dashboard. Available at: https:\/\/dhhs.ne.gov\/CDPCP%20Fact%20Sheets\/FINAL%20Physical%20Activity.pdf"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_47_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/1609406917733847"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_48_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1097\/ACM.0000000000000388"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_49_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3390\/healthcare9050609"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_50_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0264158"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_51_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1161\/CIR.0000000000000961"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_52_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/s12966-023-01411-7"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_53_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1001\/jama.2018.14854"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_54_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1093\/ptj\/pzab291"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_55_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/14635240.2017.1415160"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_56_1","first-page":"1","volume-title":"Qualitative Research Practice: A Guide for Social Science Students and Researchers","author":"Ritchie J","year":"2013","unstructured":"Ritchie J, Ormston R, McNaughton Nicholls C, et al. (2013) Qualitative Research Practice: A Guide for Social Science Students and Researchers. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, pp.1\u2013456."},{"key":"e_1_3_5_57_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1191\/030913297673302122"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_58_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/s12884-017-1460-z"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_59_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/s12884-016-0856-5"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_60_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.midw.2022.103264"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_61_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.cjca.2018.01.021"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_62_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/15598276221108669"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_63_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1123\/jpah.2019-0440"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_64_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jshs.2016.07.007"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_65_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.cjca.2016.01.024"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_66_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/s12884-016-0963-3"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_67_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/s41077-018-0081-6"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_68_1","unstructured":"World Health Organization (2019) Global Action Plan on Physical Activity 2018-2030: More Active People for a Healthier World. World Health Organization. Available at: https:\/\/www.who.int\/publications\/i\/item\/9789241514187"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_69_1","unstructured":"World Health Organization (WHO) & Guttmacher Institute (2022) First-Ever Country-Level Estimates of Unintended Pregnancy and Abortion. Available at: https:\/\/www.who.int\/news\/item\/24-03-2022-first-ever-country-level-estimates-of-unintended-pregnancy-and-abortion"}],"container-title":["Journal of Health Psychology"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/pdf\/10.1177\/13591053261416570","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/full-xml\/10.1177\/13591053261416570","content-type":"application\/xml","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/pdf\/10.1177\/13591053261416570","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,28]],"date-time":"2026-09-28T06:29:51Z","timestamp":1790576991000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/10.1177\/13591053261416570"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,2,12]]},"references-count":68,"journal-issue":{"issue":"12","published-print":{"date-parts":[[2026,10]]}},"alternative-id":["10.1177\/13591053261416570"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/13591053261416570","relation":{},"ISSN":["1359-1053","1461-7277"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1359-1053","type":"print"},{"value":"1461-7277","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,2,12]]}}}