PILATES AND AEROBIC TRAINING ON BODY COMPOSITION IN YOUNG ADULTS

NCT07107061 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: GPASD_001_2025
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 80
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Pilates exercises have been shown to be effective for a range of outcomes; however, it is unclear whether they can effectively contribute to fat mass reduction, especially when compared with a technique known to be effective for this purpose, such as aerobic training. Furthermore, Pilates' potential for increasing lean mass also requires further investigation. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of Pilates compared with aerobic training, as well as the combination of these activities, on body composition in young adults. Eighty women aged 18 to 40 years were randomized to four groups: Pilates (n = 20), aerobic (n = 20), Pilates plus aerobic (n = 20), and control (n = 20). Body composition was assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), considering: total fat mass (kg), percentage of total fat mass (%), total lean mass (kg), and total lean mass adjusted for height (kg/m²). Additionally, total body mass (kg) and body mass index (BMI) (kg/m2) values were considered. The interventions were carried out for 12 weeks, three times a week, lasting 60 minutes/session. Analyses were performed by intention-to-treat and per protocol.

Conditions

Improved Body Composition

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• Percentage of total body fat mass (%)

  Percentage of total body fat mass assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA)

  Baseline and after 12 weeks

• Total lean mass (kg)

  Absolute total body lean mass assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA)

  Baseline and after 12 weeks

• Total fat mass (Kg)

  Absolute total body fat mass assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA)

  Baseline and after 12 weeks

• Total lean mass adjusted for height (kg/m²)

  Total lean mass adjusted for height assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA)

  Baseline and after 12 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (8)

• Trunk fat mass (kg)

  Baseline and after 12 weeks

• Upper limb fat mass (kg)

  Baseline and after 12 weeks

• Lower limb fat mass (kg)

  Baseline and after 12 weeks

• Trunk lean mass (kg)

  Baseline and after 12 weeks

• Upper limb lean mass (kg)

  Baseline and after 12 weeks

Study Arms (4)

Pilates

EXPERIMENTAL

A total of 13 exercises were selected for the Pilates group, including two stretching exercises and 11 strengthening exercises for the main muscle groups. Mat exercises and equipment exercises (Ladder Barrel, Cadillac, Step Chair, Reformer, Springboard, and Small Barrel) will be used. Two protocols will be adopted for progression (protocol 1: weeks 1-6; protocol 2: weeks 7-12). Two sets of 10 repetitions will be performed, with a 30-second rest between sets and exercises. The two-by-two rule will be used to increase the load. In this case, the load will increase when the participant performs ≥ 2 repetitions above their target of 10 repetitions in the last set, in two consecutive training sessions. The interventions will last 12 weeks, three times a week, for 60 minutes.

Other: Pilates exercises

Aerobic

EXPERIMENTAL

The aerobic group will perform walking/running exercises on a treadmill using the extensive interval training method. To define the intensity and periodization of the training, the running speed associated with V̇O2max (vV̇O2max), second ventilatory threshold (vLV2), and average speed between vV̇O2max and vLV2 (v50%Δ) will be used as reference. These parameters will be obtained from a maximal exercise test on a treadmill, performed before the start of the interventions. Two protocols will be adopted, with adjustments in density (work-to-recovery ratio) every two weeks. The interventions will last 12 weeks, three times a week, for 60 minutes.

Other: Aerobic exercise

Pilates plus aerobic

EXPERIMENTAL

They will perform the same exercises as the Pilates group, however, with 1 set of 10 repetitions, with a 30-second rest between sets and exercises, totaling 30 minutes of intervention per session. In the second half of the intervention period, aerobic exercises will be performed, identical to those of the aerobic group, but for 30 minutes. The interventions will last 12 weeks, three times a week, for 60 minutes.

Other: Pilates exercises plus aerobic exercise

Control

NO INTERVENTION

This group will be instructed to maintain their usual routine.

Interventions

Aerobic exercise OTHER

Aerobic exercises are characterized as a modality that works cardiorespiratory fitness.

Also known as: aerobic

Aerobic

Pilates exercises plus aerobic exercise OTHER

Pilates exercises are characterized as muscle strengthening and stretching, while aerobic exercises are characterized as a modality that works cardiorespiratory fitness.

Also known as: Pilates, aeróbio

Pilates plus aerobic

Pilates exercises OTHER

Pilates exercises are characterized as muscle strengthening and stretching.

Also known as: Pilates

Pilates

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 40 Years
• Sex: female
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Female;
• Age between 18 and 40 years;
• Not having exercised in the last 6 months;
• Agreeing not to perform any other type of exercise during the study period;
• Being fit to exercise according to the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q) criteria;
• Not having musculoskeletal or neurological disorders that could affect exercise performance;
• Not having known cardiovascular or respiratory diseases;
• Not having cognitive impairment that leads to the inability to follow simple commands;
• Not being a smoker;
• Not being pregnant;
• Not being on any specific diets.

You may not qualify if:

• Refusing to sign the informed consent form;
• Unable to complete the pre-intervention assessment procedures.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Universidade Estadual do Norte do Parana: lead

Study Sites (1)

Universidade Estadual do Norte do Paraná

Jacarezinho, Paraná, 86400-000, Brazil

Location

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Exercise; Exercise Movement Techniques

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Motor Activity; Movement; Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena; Musculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena; Physical Therapy Modalities; Therapeutics

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: Researcher responsible for randomization
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 30, 2025
• First Posted: August 6, 2025
• Study Start: August 10, 2025
• Primary Completion: December 10, 2025
• Study Completion: December 10, 2025
• Last Updated: January 8, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-01

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: SAP
• Time Frame: Between 09/01/2025 until the date of publication of the study.
• Access Criteria: The information will be freely accessible.

Locations

BR (1)