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

Not Applicable

Recruiting

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

• Registration Number: NCT07107113
• Lead Sponsor: Universidade Estadual do Norte do Parana

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.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2025-07-30
• Study First Submitted QC: 2025-07-30
• Status Verified: 2025-08
• Study First Posted: 2025-08-06
• Study Start: 2025-08-10
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-08-12
• Last Update Posted: 2025-08-17
• Primary Completion: 2025-12-10
• Study Completion: 2025-12-10

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: RECRUITING
• Sex: Female
• Target Recruitment: 80

Inclusion Criteria

• female;
• age between 18 and 35 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.

Exclusion Criteria

• refusing to sign the informed consent form;
• being unable to complete the pre-intervention assessment procedures.

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Cardiorespiratory Fitness	Baseline and after 12 weeks	Maximum volume of oxygen obtained directly from inhaled and exhaled gases (V̇O2max) in a maximum incremental treadmill test.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Flexibility	Baseline and after 12 weeks	Range of motion measured with a fleximeter (º) for trunk movement in flexion and extension.
Trunk muscle strength	Baseline and after 12 weeks	Peak isokinetic torque of the trunk extensor and flexor muscles (cocentric/concentric) at 60°/s.
Lower limb muscle strength	Baseline and after 12 weeks	Peak isokinetic torque of the knee extensor and flexor muscles (cocentric/concentric) at 60°/s.
Upper limb muscle strength	Baseline and after 12 weeks	Peak isokinetic torque of the elbow extensor and flexor muscles (cocentric/concentric) at 60°/s.
Lower limb muscle power	Baseline and after 12 weeks	Lower limb muscle power (W) measured by countermovement jump on a force plate.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Universidade Estadual do Norte do Paraná; 🇧🇷 Jacarezinho, Paraná, Brazil