Core stability, postural balance, and flexibility in women who practice Pilates versus sedentary women

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This is a cross-sectional comparison of 55 healthy women split into a Pilates group and a sedentary control group, with the Pilates group required to have regular practice for at least six months. Physical performance measures include deep muscle activation using a Pressure Biofeedback Unit (PBU), core endurance via the McGill battery, dynamic balance with the Y-Balance Test, static balance with single-leg stance, and flexibility with the Sit-and-Reach test. An assessor-blinding protocol keeps the evaluator unaware of group allocation to reduce measurement bias. Results will be compared between groups using IBM SPSS v26.0 statistical analyses.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Healthy female volunteers aged 20-45.
2. 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.
3. For the control group: having a sedentary lifestyle (weekly moderate physical activity time less than 150 minutes).
4. 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.
5. Having full cognitive ability to understand, follow, and execute all physical assessment instructions.
6. Willingness to voluntarily sign the informed consent form prior to the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

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

Where it's running

• Istinye University, Topkapi Campus
  Istanbul, Zeytinburnu, Turkey (Türkiye) Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: WALA Abbas Mohammed TAHA, PT specialist
• Email: 2433095066@stu.istinye.edu.tr
• Phone: +905384112497

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.