Abdominal and Core Exercises on Respiratory Functions in Obese and Overweight Women (COREBREATH)

NCT07103499 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 2025/345
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 48
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 2

Brief Summary

This study aims to examine the effects of an 8-week Pilates-based exercise program on breathing functions in overweight and obese women (BMI ≥ 25). The program includes exercises for abdominal endurance and core stabilization, performed three times a week. Participants will be divided into two groups: an exercise group and a control group. Before and after the program, measurements will include lung function (spirometry), breathing rate, breath-holding time, abdominal mobility, core endurance (curl-up test), and quality of life (SF-36 questionnaire). The goal is to find out whether this type of exercise can improve breathing and overall health in women with excess weight.

Conditions

Obesity; Overweight; Pulmonary Disease; Muscle Weakness

Keywords

Obesity; Overweight; Pulmonary Function; Pilates; Core Stabilization; Abdominal Endurance; Breathing Exercises; Body Mass Index; Respiratory Rate

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) - Spirometry

  Baseline and at 8 weeks after the intervention

Study Arms (2)

Intervention Group

EXPERIMENTAL

This group will participate in an 8-week supervised Pilates-based exercise program focused on core stabilization and abdominal endurance. Sessions will be held three times a week at Easyfiz Clinic using reformer and cadillac Pilates equipment. Each session will include diaphragmatic breathing-based warm-up and cool-down components.

Behavioral: Pilates-Based Core and Breathing Exercise Program

Control Group

NO INTERVENTION

Participants in this group will not receive any specific exercise or breathing intervention. They will be instructed to maintain their usual daily activities during the study period.

Interventions

Pilates-Based Core and Breathing Exercise Program BEHAVIORAL

An 8-week supervised Pilates-based exercise program for overweight and obese women, focusing on abdominal endurance and core stabilization. Sessions (3/week) include diaphragmatic breathing, use of reformer and cadillac equipment, and structured warm-up, main, and cool-down phases.

Intervention Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 60 Years
• Gender Eligibility Details: woman
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Women aged 18-60
• Body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg/m² (obese and overweight)
• Baseline FEV0 value ≥ 80% (measured by spirometry)
• Individuals without respiratory disease (no diagnosis of asthma, COPD, etc.)
• Individuals who have not engaged in regular exercise in the past 6 months
• Individuals without orthopedic or neurological conditions that physically prevent participation in the exercise protocol
• Non-pregnant individuals

You may not qualify if:

• \. Individuals with a FEV0 value \<80% (due to risk of obstructive lung disease) 2. Individuals who have undergone surgery in the abdomen, waist, or pelvic area within the last 6 months 3. Individuals with orthopedic, neurological, or systemic diseases that would prevent them from exercising 4. Individuals who have been engaging in regular exercise for 3 or more days per week in the past 3 months 5. Individuals with diagnosed respiratory diseases (e.g., asthma, COPD, etc.) 6. Individuals who are unable to comply with the exercise program due to psychiatric diagnosis or communication difficulties

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Ondokuz Mayıs University: lead

Study Sites (2)

Ondokuz Mayıs Üniversitesi

Samsun, Atakum, 55270, Turkey (Türkiye)

RECRUITING

Fizyoterapist Reyhan Arzum Apraş Özel Sağlık Meslek Hizmet Birimi

Çorum, Merkez, 19200, Turkey (Türkiye)

RECRUITING

Related Publications (2)

• Souza C, Kruger RL, Schmit EFD, Wagner Neto ES, Reischak-Oliveira A, de Sa CKC, Loss JF. Cardiorespiratory Adaptation to Pilates Training. Res Q Exerc Sport. 2021 Sep;92(3):453-459. doi: 10.1080/02701367.2020.1749222. Epub 2020 Jun 4.

  PMID: 32493165 BACKGROUND

• Afsari, Z., Rahimi, N. M., & Azimkhani, A. (2024). Investigating the Effects of Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization Exercises on Chest Mobility, Upright Sitting Height, and Quality of Life in Obese Women. Physical Treatments-Specific Physical Therapy Journal, 14(2), 137-146.

  BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Obesity; Overweight; Lung Diseases; Muscle Weakness

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Overnutrition; Nutrition Disorders; Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases; Body Weight; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Muscular Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Neuromuscular Manifestations; Neurologic Manifestations; Nervous System Diseases; Pathologic Processes

Central Study Contacts

Mine PEKEŞEN KURTÇA

CONTACT

+90 05079277327; mine.pekesenkurtca@omu.edu.tr

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Ass.Prof.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 29, 2025
• First Posted: August 5, 2025
• Study Start: December 15, 2025
• Primary Completion: December 15, 2025
• Study Completion: January 15, 2026
• Last Updated: December 4, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-08

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (2)