Pilates and Aerobic Training on Cardiorespiratory Fitness, Flexibility, Strength, and Muscular Power in Young Adults

NCT07107113 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: GPASD_002_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 improving cardiorespiratory fitness, especially when compared with aerobic training, which is known to be effective for this purpose. Furthermore, the differences between these modalities for outcomes such as flexibility, strength, and muscular power require further investigation. Therefore, the objective of this study is to assess the effectiveness of Pilates compared to aerobic training, as well as the combination of these activities, on cardiorespiratory fitness, flexibility, strength, and muscular power in young adults. Eighty women aged 18 to 40 will be randomized to four groups: Pilates (n = 20), aerobic (n = 20), Pilates plus aerobic (n = 20), and control (n = 20). Cardiorespiratory fitness will be assessed directly to estimate V̇O2max. Trunk flexibility in flexion and extension will be measured with a fleximeter (°). Lower-limb, upper-limb, and trunk muscle strength will be assessed by isokinetic dynamometry (N.m), while lower-limb muscle power (W) will be assessed by countermovement jumping on a force platform. Interventions will be conducted for 12 weeks, three times a week, with a 60-minute session duration. Analyses will be conducted by intention-to-treat and per-protocol.

Conditions

Improvement of Cardiorespiratory Fitness, Flexibility, Strength and Muscle Power in Healthy Participants

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Cardiorespiratory Fitness

  Maximum volume of oxygen obtained directly from inhaled and exhaled gases (V̇O2max) in a maximum incremental treadmill test.

  Baseline and after 12 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (5)

• Flexibility

  Baseline and after 12 weeks

• Trunk muscle strength

  Baseline and after 12 weeks

• Lower limb muscle strength

  Baseline and after 12 weeks

• Upper limb muscle strength

  Baseline and after 12 weeks

• Lower limb muscle power

  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 Exercise

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 a 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 exercises

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

Pilates Exercise OTHER

Pilates exercises are characterized as muscle strengthening and stretching.

Pilates

Aerobic exercises OTHER

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

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.

Pilates plus aerobic

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;
• having no musculoskeletal or neurological disorders that could affect exercise performance;
• having no known cardiovascular or respiratory diseases;
• having no cognitive impairment that could lead 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;
• being 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 Movement Techniques; Exercise

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

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

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• 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: From September 1, 2025, until the date of publication of the study.
• Access Criteria: The information will be freely accessible.

Locations

BR (1)