OBJECTIVE/BACKGROUND: Poor sleep during pregnancy is common and is associated with pregnancy complications. Physical activity (PA) is associated with better sleep in nonpregnant populations. However, studies among pregnant women are sparse, conflicting, and none have been conducted among Hispanic women, who face a disproportionate burden of poor sleep and pregnancy complications. Therefore, our objective was to examine the relationship between intensity- and domain-specific PA, respectively, on sleep quality and duration among Hispanic pregnant women.

PARTICIPANTS: We evaluated these associations among participants (n = 251) in Estudio PARTO, an ongoing randomized controlled trial aimed at reducing type 2 diabetes among women at high risk.

METHODS: We assessed the cross-sectional relationship between PA (via Pregnancy PA Questionnaire) and sleep quality and duration (via Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) using baseline data (26.5 +/- 6.9 weeks gestation).

RESULTS: In multivariable logistic models, household and caregiving activities were associated with higher odds of very poor sleep quality (OR = 2.69; 95% CI = 1.04 to 7.04) and with short (vs. medium) sleep duration (OR = 2.85; 95% CI = 1.07 to 7.56). In contrast, occupational PA was associated with lower odds of very poor sleep quality (OR = 0.39; 95% CI = 0.17 to 0.89). Light-intensity PA was associated with lower odds of long (vs. medium) sleep duration (OR = 0.13; 95% CI = 0.03 to 0.52). There were no statistically significant relationships between PA in any other domain and sleep.

CONCLUSIONS: Prospective studies will be critical in evaluating the potential adverse impact of household and caregiving activities on poor sleep quality.