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

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

This will see if women who do Pilates regularly have stronger core muscles, better balance, and greater flexibility than women who are mostly sedentary.

Quick facts

• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 55 (estimated)
• Ages: 20 Years to 45 Years
• Sex: Female
• Sponsor: Istinye University (other)
• Locations: 1 site (Istanbul, Zeytinburnu)
• Trial ID: NCT07578714 on ClinicalTrials.gov

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.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Healthy women aged 20–45 who either practice Pilates regularly (minimum six months, about twice weekly sessions) or who meet criteria for a sedentary lifestyle are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: Women who are currently pregnant, less than six months postpartum, or who had recent surgery to the spine, pelvis, or lower limbs are unlikely to benefit or be eligible for this comparison.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could support Pilates as a practical way to improve core stability, balance, and flexibility for healthy women.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies generally show positive but mixed evidence that Pilates improves core endurance, balance, and flexibility, though high-quality randomized trials are limited.

Eligibility criteria

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 this trial is running

Istanbul, Zeytinburnu

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

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: WALA Abbas Mohammed TAHA, PT specialist

Conditions: Core Stability, Postural Balance, Pilates, Core Stability, Pilates, Healthy Life Style, Flexibility, Trunk Muscle Endurance, Women's Health