Physical and Psychological Effects of Neuromuscular Integrative Activity vs Pilates on Sedentary Females

Participant Healthy female volunteers between the ages of 20 and 45 who performed desk jobs 8 hours a day and with a sedentary lifestyle were included in this study. This is a parallel group randomized comparative study aimed to compare the effects of NIA and Pilates on physical fitness and psychological status. This study was conducted at ............. University School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation in 2017. Participants were excluded if participants had a risk of pregnancy, using pacemakers or metal implants in participiants' body, had an active athlete history, had any health problems preventing them performing exercises. Written informed consent was obtained from all participants, and participants signed the form approved by the ....................... University Clinical Research Ethics Committee (020/55134) prior to participation in the study.

Randomization of the volunteers were screened for eligibility and signed an informed consent form. Then, participants were randomized to Pilates and NIA groups using the sealed envelope method. An identification number (i.e., 1-54) was allocated to each volunteer. Each number was written on a separate piece of folded white paper and placed into an opaque envelope. The randomization process was performed by picking a random number from the sealed envelope to allocate each volunteer to either the intervention or control group.

Outcomes Measures This is a prospective, single-blinded, randomized-comparative study, and it involved twice time at pre and post 8-week exercise program. Assessments were performed at the baseline and after eight weeks of intervention. The dependent variables were flexibility, cardiovascular endurance, Abdominal Strength-Endurance, Balance Assessment, self-esteem, anxiety, and quality of life. BMI was measured with a Tanita BC 418 (Tanita Corp., Tokyo, Japan), which is a segmental professional body analysis monitor measuring the impedance generated during the passage of an electric current of 50 kHz, 0.8 mA through tissues.

Psychological Status Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale was developed by Morris Rosenberg and the validity and reliability studies of the Turkish version of the scale were performed by Çuhadaroğlu. The Rosenberg self-esteem scale is a 10-item scale that assesses global self-worth by measuring both positive and negative feelings about the self. Each item has a 4- point Likert scale ranging from strongly agree to strongly disagree. Higher scores indicate higher self-esteem. The scale was used for self-esteem measurement.

Quality of Life Assessment Short Form Health Survey is a questionnaire assessing the quality of life of the subjects. Short Form Health Survey examines eight different parameters, namely, Functional Capacity, Physical Aspects, Bodily Pain, General Health, Vitality, Social Aspect, Emotional Aspect, and Mental Health domains. A higher score indicates a better quality of life.