Core Stability, Postural Balance, and Flexibility in Healthy Women: A Comparative Study Between Pilates Practitioners and Sedentary Individuals

NCT07578714 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 2026/53
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 55
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study aims to compare core muscle stability, postural balance, and flexibility between healthy women who regularly practice Pilates and those with a sedentary lifestyle. The researcher will evaluate if long-term Pilates practice (5 months or more) leads to significant improvements in physical performance compared to a lack of regular exercise. Assessment tools include the Pressure Biofeedback Unit (PBU) for core activation, the McGill battery for endurance, the Y-Balance test for dynamic stability, and the Sit-and-Reach test for flexibility.

Conditions

Core Stability; Postural Balance; Pilates, Core Stability; Pilates; Healthy Life Style

Keywords

Pilates; Flexibility; Trunk Muscle Endurance; Women's Health; Sedentary Behavior; Pressure Biofeedback Unit (PBU); Y-Balance Test; McGill Battery

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Deep Muscle Stabilization Pressure Biofeedback Device - PBU

  Measurement of the transversus abdominis muscle activation using a Pressure Biofeedback Unit (PBU).isolation is confirmed by a drop in pressure of 4-10 mmHg from a 70 mmHg baseline, sustained for 10 seconds in prone position.

  At the single assessment session (Day 1)

• Core Muscle Endurance

  Measured using the McGill Core Endurance Battery, including the Trunk Flexor, Trunk Extensor, and Side Bridge tests. Results are recorded as the duration (in seconds) the position is maintained.

  At the single assessment session (Day 1)

• Dynamic Postural Balance Y-Balance Test (YBT)

  Assessed using the Y-Balance Test (YBT). The maximum reach distance in three directions (Anterior, Posteromedial, and Posterolateral) will be recorded in centimeters

  At the single assessment session (Day 1)

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Static Postural Balance Test or Single Leg Standing Test (SLST)

  At the single assessment session (Day 1)

• Lower Back and Hamstring Flexibility

  At the single assessment session (Day 1)

Study Arms (2)

Pilates Group

Healthy women who have regularly practiced Pilates exercises for at least 5 months, with a minimum of two sessions per week.

Sedentary Group

Healthy women with a sedentary lifestyle, defined as having less than 150 minutes of physical activity per week and no regular exercise routine in the past 3 months.

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 20 Years - 45 Years
• Sex: female
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Healthy adult women from the general community and Pilates studios in Istanbul, Turkey.

You may qualify if:

• Healthy female volunteers aged 20-45.
• For the Pilates group: having practiced mat Pilates, reformer Pilates, or any equipment-based Pilates discipline for at least 6 months; attending regular 60-minute sessions at least twice a week with a certified instructor.
• For the control group: having a sedentary lifestyle (weekly moderate physical activity time less than 150 minutes).
• Objectively demonstrating sedentary status using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ); only participants in the "low physical activity" category will be included in the control group.
• Having full cognitive ability to understand, follow, and execute all physical assessment instructions.
• Willingness to voluntarily sign the informed consent form prior to the study.

You may not qualify if:

• History of any surgery involving the spine, pelvis, or lower extremities within the last 12 months prior to the study.
• Currently pregnant or less than 6 months postpartum.
• Diagnosed vestibular disorders or chronic clinical balance disorders.
• History of neurological disease (MS, Parkinson's, etc.) or systemic metabolic disorder (diabetes, etc.).
• Having a pain intensity greater than 2/10 on the visual analog scale (VAS) in the lower back or lower extremities.
• Professional sports history or participation in other exercise programs exceeding 3 hours per week (excluding Pilates for the Pilates group).
• Acute musculoskeletal injuries or acute illnesses that may affect energy levels on the day of evaluation.
• Concurrent participation in other intensive core strengthening programs such as "advanced yoga" that may affect results.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Istinye University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Istinye University, Topkapi Campus

Istanbul, Zeytinburnu, 34010, Turkey (Türkiye)

RECRUITING

Related Publications (4)

• Alshehre Y, Alkhathami K, Brizzolara K, Weber M, Wang-Price S. Reliability and Validity of the Y-balance Test in Young Adults with Chronic Low Back Pain. Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2021 Jun 1;16(3):628-635. doi: 10.26603/001c.23430.

  PMID: 34123515 BACKGROUND

• Fallahasady E, Rahmanloo N, Seidi F, Rajabi R, Bayattork M. The relationship between core muscle endurance and functional movement screen scores in females with lumbar hyperlordosis: a cross-sectional study. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil. 2022 Oct 13;14(1):182. doi: 10.1186/s13102-022-00567-2.

  PMID: 36229857 RESULT

• De Blaiser C, Roosen P, Willems T, De Bleecker C, Vermeulen S, Danneels L, De Ridder R. The role of core stability in the development of non-contact acute lower extremity injuries in an athletic population: A prospective study. Phys Ther Sport. 2021 Jan;47:165-172. doi: 10.1016/j.ptsp.2020.11.035. Epub 2020 Nov 30.

  PMID: 33302113 RESULT

• Wells C, Kolt GS, Bialocerkowski A. Defining Pilates exercise: a systematic review. Complement Ther Med. 2012 Aug;20(4):253-62. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2012.02.005. Epub 2012 Mar 13.

  PMID: 22579438 RESULT

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Sedentary Behavior

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavior

Study Officials

• NALAN Soydaş, PhD

  Istinye University

  STUDY DIRECTOR

Central Study Contacts

WALA Abbas Mohammed TAHA, PT specialist

CONTACT

+905384112497; 2433095066@stu.istinye.edu.tr

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: CASE CONTROL
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Physical therapy specialist and Master's student

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 3, 2026
• First Posted: May 11, 2026
• Study Start: May 13, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): March 1, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): March 13, 2027
• Last Updated: May 11, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-05

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)