Effect of Physical Activity During Pregnancy on Uterine Artery Blood Flow, Fetal Heart Rate and Fetal Birth Weight

Urbanization, rising living standards, and the comfort afforded by technological advances, characteristic of our age, are leading to the prevalence of physical inactivity. The potential effects of this on maternal and fetal health, especially during a sensitive period like pregnancy, pose a critical need for scientific research. The third trimester of pregnancy is a critical period during which fetal growth and development occur rapidly, and investigating the effects of physical inactivity on the fetus is of great importance.

In this study, physical activity levels during pregnancy will be determined using the Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire (PPAQ) and daily step count. Fetal health parameters will include uterine blood flow markers (Resistance Index (RI), Systolic/Diastolic (S/D) ratio), fetal heart rate, and fetal birth weight. This study aims to make significant contributions to the literature by revealing the impact of physical activity levels on fetal health parameters in third-trimester pregnancies. Research Hypothesis:

This study will examine the effects of physical activity levels on fetal health parameters within the framework of the following hypotheses:

H1 (Research Hypothesis 1): It is hypothesized that fetal health parameters will be negatively affected in pregnant women who are physically inactive during pregnancy (e.g., impaired values, low birth weight).

H0 (Null Hypothesis 1): There is no statistically significant difference in fetal health parameters between pregnant women who are physically inactive during pregnancy and those who are active.