Lumbopelvic pain is a common condition during pregnancy, impacting quality of life of pregnant women and influencing their physical activity levels. Regular physical exercise is recommended to improve maternal health and reduce pain symptoms; however, adherence to physical activity during pregnancy remains low. Understanding how different components of physical activity are distributed among pregnant women with and without lumbopelvic pain is essential to guide effective interventions and recommendations.

To descriptively analyze the level of habitual physical activity in pregnant women in the third trimester of pregnancy with and without lumbopelvic pain, divided into components: occupational physical activities, leisure-time physical exercises, and physical activities during leisure and locomotion.

A cross-sectional study design was performed. Ten pregnant women were divided into two groups of five each: with and without lumbopelvic pain. Inclusion criteria were being in the third trimester of a singleton pregnancy and being at least 18 years old. Exclusion criteria were using assistive devices for walking, having neurological conditions affecting locomotion, history of spinal or lower limb surgeries, inflammatory or rheumatic diseases, and contraindications to exercise. Data collection included sociodemographic, anthropometric, and clinical information. Physical activity levels were assessed using the Baecke Habitual Physical Activity Questionnaire. Pain intensity was measured using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale. Differences between groups were analyzed descriptively due to the small sample size.

The mean age in the pain-free and pain groups was 35.2 ± 7.3 years versus 29.4 ± 6.2 years, respectively. Gestational age was 34 weeks and 5.2 days ± 2 weeks and 4 days in the pain-free group versus 36 weeks and 3.6 days ± 2 weeks and 1 day in the pain group. Additionally, the pain group had a Numeric Pain Rating Scale score of 5.8 ± 1.9. Regarding the results from the Baecke Habitual Physical Activity Questionnaire, descriptively findings suggested that pregnant women with pain engaged more in occupational activities and less in leisure-time physical exercises and physical activities during leisure and locomotion compared to the pain-free group. However, total physical activity levels were similar between the two groups: mean 10,825 and 8,975, respectively. The mean values for the components of occupational physical activities, leisure-time physical exercises, and physical activities during leisure and locomotion were 2.975, 2.45, and 5.4 in the pain-free group, compared to 2.875, 1.8, and 4.4 in the pain group.

Lumbopelvic pain impacts physical activity patterns in pregnant women. As this is a preliminary result of a descriptive analysis, findings should be interpreted with caution, and further studies with a larger sample size and more robust statistical analyses are needed.

These findings reinforce the need for policies that encourage adapted physical activity programs for pregnant women, promoting awareness of the benefits of exercise in reducing pain. In clinical practice, physiotherapists can use this information to develop personalized strategies, balancing occupational load and encouraging mobility. In education, the importance of training professionals to guide pregnant women is highlighted, while in management and public policies, expanding access to maternal health programs is recommended.