NCT07343700 · Arkansas Children's Hospital Research Institute
Community Expecting: Exercise During Pregnancy
What this study is about
Regular physical activity during pregnancy is safe and offers many health benefits for both mothers and their babies. Research over the past decade shows that exercise can help pregnant women gain a healthy amount of weight, lower their risk of gestational diabetes and high blood pressure, and reduce stress, anxiety, and symptoms of postpartum depression.
View original scientific description
Regular physical activity during pregnancy is safe and offers many health benefits for both mothers and their babies. Research over the past decade shows that exercise can help pregnant women gain a healthy amount of weight, lower their risk of gestational diabetes and high blood pressure, and reduce stress, anxiety, and symptoms of postpartum depression. Babies also benefit when their mothers are active, with lower risks of preterm birth, unhealthy birth size, and childhood obesity. Despite this strong evidence, very few exercise programs for pregnant women have been tested in real-world community settings, such as fitness centers, community health programs, or local organizations. Even fewer studies explain how these programs were delivered or what helped them succeed. Without this information, it is difficult for communities and health programs to offer exercise support that is both effective and practical for pregnant women. To address this gap, the research team adapted an evidence-based program called EXPECTING so it could be delivered by community organizations. Previous participants and community advisors helped to understand what changes were needed to make the program easier to offer while still keeping it safe and effective. The core parts of the program, including the type, amount, and intensity of aerobic and strength-building exercises, remained the same and are based on established pregnancy exercise guidelines. The adapted program, called COMMUNITY EXPECTING, includes both aerobic exercise and resistance training. The research team also developed specific supports to help community instructors deliver the program consistently and with confidence. All program components have already been tested in community settings and shown to be realistic, acceptable, and delivered as planned. This study will examine whether offering a structured exercise program in community settings helps pregnant women be more physically active than usual prenatal care alone. We will also assess whether the program can be delivered successfully and in a way that works for both participants and community providers. The results will help determine whether COMMUNITY EXPECTING is a practical approach for supporting healthy pregnancies in real-world settings.
Interventions
BEHAVIORAL
Community Expecting
our team adapted EXPECTING for community delivery through extensive input from prior participants and community advisors using an implementation science framework. In our prior project plan, the EXPECTING intervention was successfully adapted to community settings and tested for its acceptability, feasibility and fidelity using the Replicating Effective Programs (REP) strategy8 with input from diverse community partners. This process resulted in 4 key adaptations to define the COMMUNITY EXPECTING Intervention and 3 implementation strategies to support its uptake in the community. Dose, frequency, type, and targeted exertion during exercise were retained as core components from the original EXPECTING study. All intervention components have been tested in the community.
Primary outcome measures
Step Logs
Time frame: Weekly from enrollment (baseline) through delivery, assessed throughout pregnancy (up to ~40 weeks gestation).
All "expecting mother" participants in both groups will receive a FitBit arm bracelet to self-monitor activity levels and for the research team to monitor their physical activity levels. They will also submit their step counts on a weekly basis and/or give permission for us to access their step count data from the Fitbit records. Weekly step count logs are sent to the participant through REDCap via email or text message. The message contains a "survey link" produced by REDCap, where the participant reports step count data or answers survey questions. Upon completion, the data is automatically upload to REDCap for later analysis.
Who can participate
This study lists these criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov. A study coordinator reviews eligibility during screening — this page does not determine whether you qualify.
Inclusion criteria
- 18 years of age or older
- Having a BMI ≥ 30
- Not currently meeting guidelines for 150 min of moderate physical activity per week.
- All children born to mother participants will be included and eligible.
Exclusion criteria
- Non-English speaking individuals.
- Contraindications for exercise (preeclampsia-eclampsia, premature rupture of the membranes, antepartum hemorrhage, placenta previa, or multiple gestation),) as determined by the investigators to affect the outcomes of interest
- Using recreational drugs, tobacco, or alcohol during their pregnancy.
- \< 11 or \> 16 weeks gestation
Where
- Little Rock, Arkansas
Related conditions & keywords
Frequently asked questions
What is a clinical trial?
A clinical trial is a research study that tests new medical treatments, drugs, devices, or procedures to determine their safety and effectiveness. Trials are carefully designed and monitored to protect participants while advancing medical knowledge.
Is it safe to participate?
Clinical trials follow strict safety guidelines and ethical standards. Trials must be reviewed and approved, and participants are closely monitored by medical professionals throughout the study. You can withdraw at any time if you choose.
Will I be compensated?
Many clinical trials offer compensation for your time, travel expenses, and inconvenience. The specific compensation varies by study and will be discussed during the screening process. All study-related medical care is typically provided at no cost to participants.
Will I receive a placebo instead of treatment?
When effective treatment exists, participants typically receive either the standard treatment plus the study intervention, or the standard treatment plus placebo. You would not be denied effective care. Placebos are primarily used when no proven treatment is available, or in addition to standard care. Your trial consent form will clearly explain what treatments you may receive.
Can I leave a trial if I change my mind?
Absolutely. Participation in clinical trials is completely voluntary. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled.
How long does a clinical trial last?
Trial duration varies widely depending on the study design and purpose. Some trials last just a few weeks, while others may continue for months or years. The study coordinator will provide specific timeline information during your screening call.
Data: ClinicalTrials.gov · synced Jan 15, 2026 · Source of record for eligibility and locations