Energy Cost and Metabolic Intensity of Pilates Exercises in Older Adults

NCT07621523 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: CEP_7.934.239
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 20
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Pilates is one of the most popular forms of exercise among older adults worldwide. However, no study has measured how many calories a Pilates session burns or how hard the body works during it in people aged 60 and over. This information is important for exercise professionals who prescribe Pilates for health promotion goals such as weight management and cardiovascular fitness. This study will measure the energy cost and metabolic intensity of two types of Pilates - mat Pilates and equipment-based Pilates - in older adults using a portable indirect calorimetry system (Cosmed K5). Results will be compared to treadmill walking at 4.8 km/h, a well-established moderate-intensity activity. Twenty men and women aged 60 years or older with at least 6 months of continuous Pilates experience will complete three exercise sessions in a randomized order: (1) mat Pilates, (2) equipment-based Pilates, and (3) treadmill walking. Each Pilates session will consist of 9 exercises, with stretching exercises used as warm-up and cool-down and 7 strengthening exercises performed in the main portion of the session (\~50 min). Oxygen consumption, energy expenditure, heart rate, and perceived exertion will be measured throughout each session.

Conditions

Energy Metabolism; Exercise; Aging

Keywords

Pilates; Energy expenditure; Metabolic equivalents; Indirect calorimetry; Older adults; Exercise intensity; Treadmill walking; Crossover study

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Metabolic Intensity

  Metabolic intensity will be assessed as metabolic equivalents (METs) measured by portable indirect calorimetry (Cosmed K5, breath-by-breath) during each exercise session. METs will be calculated using the older adult reference value (1 MET₆₀ = 2.7 mL/kg/min).

  At baseline (pre-session), during each 50-minute exercise session, and 30 minutes after session completion.

• Energy Expenditure

  Total energy expenditure (kcal) will be measured by portable indirect calorimetry (Cosmed K5, breath-by-breath) during each exercise session.

  At baseline (pre-session), during each 50-minute exercise session, and 30 minutes after session completion.

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Oxygen Consumption

  At baseline (pre-session), during each 50-minute exercise session, and 30 minutes after session completion.

• Heart Rate

  At baseline (pre-session), during each 50-minute exercise session, and 30 minutes after session completion.

• Rating of Perceived Exertion

  During each exercise session and 30 minutes after session completion

Study Arms (3)

Mat Pilates

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will perform a mat Pilates session consisting of 9 exercises: 1 stretching exercise as warm-up, 7 strengthening exercises, and 1 stretching exercise as cool-down. Strengthening exercises will be performed in 3 sets of 10 repetitions with 1-minute rest intervals (\~50 min). Exercises will use body weight and accessories (Swiss ball, elastic bands, foam roller, and magic circle). Warm-up and cool-down periods will be excluded from analysis.

Behavioral: Mat Pilates

Equipment-Based Pilates

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will perform an equipment-based Pilates session consisting of 9 exercises: 1 stretching exercise as warm-up, 7 strengthening exercises, and 1 stretching exercise as cool-down. Strengthening exercises will be performed in 3 sets of 10 repetitions with 1-minute rest intervals (\~50 min). Exercises will be performed using Reformer, Cadillac, Ladder Barrel, and Step Chair. Warm-up and cool-down periods will be excluded from analysis.

Behavioral: Equipment-Based Pilates

Treadmill Walking

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants will perform 50 minutes of treadmill walking at 4.8 km/h with 1% incline, preceded by a 5-minute warm-up and followed by a 5-minute cool-down at 3.0 km/h. Warm-up and cool-down periods will be excluded from analysis.

Behavioral: Treadmill Walking

Interventions

Mat Pilates BEHAVIORAL

A single session of mat Pilates consisting of 9 exercises: 1 stretching exercise as warm-up, 7 strengthening exercises (\~50 min, 3 sets of 10 repetitions with 1-minute rest intervals), and 1 stretching exercise as cool-down. Exercises are performed using body weight and accessories (Swiss ball, elastic bands, foam roller, and magic circle).

Mat Pilates

Equipment-Based Pilates BEHAVIORAL

A single session of equipment-based Pilates consisting of 9 exercises: 1 stretching exercise as warm-up, 7 strengthening exercises (\~50 min, 3 sets of 10 repetitions with 1-minute rest intervals), and 1 stretching exercise as cool-down. Exercises are performed using Reformer, Cadillac, Ladder Barrel, and Step Chair.

Equipment-Based Pilates

Treadmill Walking BEHAVIORAL

A single session of treadmill walking consisting of 50 minutes at 4.8 km/h (1% incline), preceded by a 5-minute warm-up and followed by a 5-minute cool-down at 3.0 km/h.

Treadmill Walking

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 60 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Age 60 years or older;
• Body mass index (BMI) between 22 and 27 kg/m²;
• Not currently undergoing dietary treatment or program for weight gain or loss;
• No severe musculoskeletal disorders (e.g., osteoarthritis grade III or IV, moderate-to-severe pain ≥ 4 on the NRS 0-10 scale) or neurological conditions (e.g., Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis);
• Continuously practicing Pilates for at least 6 months prior to enrollment, with a minimum frequency of twice per week.

You may not qualify if:

• Chronic decompensated conditions that may pose health risks during exercise (e.g., uncontrolled hypertension, bronchitis, asthma);
• Any history of cardiovascular events (e.g., coronary artery disease, stroke, heart failure, arrhythmias, valvular heart disease);
• Decompensated metabolic diseases or use of medications with recognized direct impact on energy and glycemic metabolism, including antidiabetics and systemic corticosteroids;
• Positive response to any item on the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q).

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Universidade Estadual do Norte do Parana: lead

Study Sites (1)

Universidade Estadual do Norte do Paraná

Jacarezinho, Paraná, 86400-000, Brazil

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Motor Activity

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavior

Study Officials

• Matheus R Quaglio, MSC

  Universidade Estadual do Norte do Paraná

  STUDY CHAIR

Central Study Contacts

Raphael G de Oliveira, PhD

CONTACT

+55 (43) 3511-2628; rgoliveira@uenp.edu.br

Laís C de Oliveira, PhD

CONTACT

+55 (43) 3511-2628; oliveiralc@uenp.edu.br

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Dr

Model Details: Participants will complete all three exercise sessions (mat Pilates, equipment-based Pilates, and treadmill walking) in a randomized order, with a minimum washout period of 48 hours between sessions.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 27, 2026
• First Posted: June 2, 2026
• Study Start: June 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 1, 2026
• Last Updated: June 2, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-05

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

BR (1)