The Effect of Reformer Pilates on Functional Capacity, Balance, and Quality of Life in Sedentary Women

NCT07257731 | Completed

• 2 other identifiers: 126/2025IRB Protocol Number
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 57
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The objective of this randomized controlled trial is to evaluate the effect of Reformer Pilates exercises on functional capacity, balance, muscular endurance, and quality of life in sedentary women. A total of 57 sedentary women were randomly assigned to either the Intervention Group (N=30) or the Control Group (N=27). Participants in the intervention group underwent an 8-week Reformer Pilates exercise program, consisting of 2 sessions per week, 50 minutes each. The control group maintained their usual lifestyle without intervention. All participants' functional capacity (1-minute sit-to-stand), balance (Functional Reach Test), muscular endurance (30-second push-up and sit-up tests), and quality of life (SF-36) were measured at baseline and at the end of the 8-week period.

Conditions

Sedentary Lifestyle; Functional Capacity

Keywords

Reduced Functional Capacity; Physical Inactivity

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Functional Capacity 1-Minute Sit-to-Stand Test

  The 1-Minute Sit-to-Stand Test (1-MSTST) is a standardized, reliable, and valid field test designed to assess lower-body strength, muscular endurance, and functional mobility in various populations, including sedentary adults. Procedure: The participant is instructed to stand up fully from a standard chair and sit down as many times as possible within a one-minute period, without using their arms for support. Scoring: The total number of complete repetitions performed correctly within 60 seconds is recorded as the test score. A higher number of repetitions indicates superior functional capacity and strength, often correlated with better mobility and reduced fall risk.

  Baseline and End of 8-Week Intervention

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• Balance Functional Reach Test

  Baseline and End of 8-Week Intervention

• Muscular Endurance 30-Second Push-Up Test

  Baseline and End of 8-Week Intervention

• Quality of Life Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36)

  Baseline and End of 8-Week Intervention

• Muscular Endurance 30-Second Sit-Up Test

  Baseline and End of 8-Week Intervention

Study Arms (2)

Reformer Pilates Exercise Group

EXPERIMENTAL

8-Week Reformer Pilates Intervention

Behavioral: Reformer Pilates Exercise Program

Control Group

NO INTERVENTION

Usual Lifestyle

Interventions

Reformer Pilates Exercise Program BEHAVIORAL

The Reformer Pilates Exercise Program was delivered over an 8-week period, consisting of 2 supervised sessions per week. Each session lasted 50 minutes and was administered by the same licensed Physical Therapist (PT) at the FLC Konsept Healthy Living Center. The exercises utilized the Reformer apparatus. The program was standardized but individually tailored by adjusting the spring resistance based on the participant's tolerance level and physical condition to ensure safe and effective exercise progression. The intervention focused on the six core principles of Pilates, targeting core stabilization, muscle strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, and balance to improve the overall physical fitness of sedentary women.

Reformer Pilates Exercise Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 55 Years
• Gender Eligibility Details: Female (Kadın)
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Female gender.
• Meeting the definition of sedentary (no participation in any regular exercise program within the last 6 months).
• Having sufficient ability to understand and comply with the study procedures.
• No physical or mental condition that would hinder safe participation in the study.
• Voluntarily agreeing to participate in the study and signing the informed consent form.

You may not qualify if:

• Presence of any neurological disorder that prevents safe exercise participation.
• Having an active sports life or currently participating in regular sports activities.
• Presence of cardiovascular, pulmonary, or serious orthopedic problems that contraindicate exercise (e.g., medical restriction by a physician).
• Being pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Presence of any acute pain or inflammatory condition.
• Having a known contraindication for Pilates exercises.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Istanbul Aydın University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Istanbul Aydın Üniversitesi

Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Sedentary Behavior

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavior

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator and Physical Therapist (PT)

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: November 14, 2025
• First Posted: December 2, 2025
• Study Start: May 15, 2025
• Primary Completion: June 15, 2025
• Study Completion: August 15, 2025
• Last Updated: December 2, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-11

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: STUDY PROTOCOL, SAP, ICF, CSR, ANALYTIC CODE
• Time Frame: 6 months after the primary publication date 5 years after the primary publication date
• Access Criteria: Access will be granted to qualified academic and research collaborators who submit a written, methodologically sound research proposal. Data will be shared only after ethical review and approval by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of Istanbul Aydin University and upon the signing of a formal Data Access Agreement (DAA) with the corresponding author. Access will be provided to the anonymized Individual Participant Data (IPD), the full study protocol, the Statistical Analysis Plan (SAP), the Informed Consent Form (ICF), the Clinical Study Report (CSR), and analytic code for ethically approved and scientifically justifiable research purposes.

Locations

TU (1)