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ObesityCOREBREATHNCT07103499

Abdominal and Core Exercises on Respiratory Functions in Obese and Overweight Women (COREBREATH)

A study testing Pilates-Based Core and Breathing Exercise Program in people with Obesity and Overweight, run by Ondokuz Mayıs University at 2 sites in Turkey (Türkiye).

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

This study aims to examine the effects of an 8-week Pilates-based exercise program on breathing functions in overweight and obese women (BMI ≥ 25). The program includes exercises for abdominal endurance and core stabilization, performed three times a week. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 60 years, women onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
Conditions the study is for
Obesity, Overweight, Pulmonary Disease
What is being tested?
Pilates-Based Core and Breathing Exercise Program
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
54 participants
Where
2 sitesTurkey (Türkiye)
Study dates
1 Aug 2025to 1 Oct 2025
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 to 60 years
  • Women only
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Adult

Who may be able to join

  • Women aged 18-60
  • Body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg/m² (obese and overweight)
  • Baseline FEV0 value ≥ 80% (measured by spirometry)
  • Individuals without respiratory disease (no diagnosis of asthma, COPD, etc.)
  • Individuals who have not engaged in regular exercise in the past 6 months
  • Individuals without orthopedic or neurological conditions that physically prevent participation in the exercise protocol
Show all 9Show fewer
  • Non-pregnant individuals
  • Individuals who voluntarily agree to participate in the study and sign the informed consent form exclusion criteria
  • 1. Individuals with a FEV0 value <80% (due to risk of obstructive lung disease) 2. Individuals who have undergone surgery in the abdomen, waist, or pelvic area within the last 6 months 3. Individuals with orthopedic, neurological, or systemic diseases that would prevent them from exercising 4. Individuals who have been engaging in regular exercise for 3 or more days per week in the past 3 months 5. Individuals with diagnosed respiratory diseases (e.g., asthma, COPD, etc.) 6. Individuals who are unable to comply with the exercise program due to psychiatric diagnosis or communication difficulties

Who cannot join

None listed.

Trial locations and contacts

2 sites in 1 country.

Turkey (Türkiye)2 sites

  • Fizyoterapist Reyhan Arzum Apraş Özel Sağlık Meslek Hizmet Birimi

    Çorum, Merkez, 19200

  • Ondokuz Mayıs Üniversitesi

    Samsun, Atakum, 55270

Other trials in Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

Official title: Effects of Abdominal Endurance and Core Stabilization Exercises on Respiratory Functions in Overweight and Obese Women

This study aims to examine the effects of an 8-week Pilates-based exercise program on breathing functions in overweight and obese women (BMI ≥ 25). The program includes exercises for abdominal endurance and core stabilization, performed three times a week.

Participants will be divided into two groups: an exercise group and a control group. Before and after the program, measurements will include lung function (spirometry), breathing rate, breath-holding time, abdominal mobility, core endurance (curl-up test), and quality of life (SF-36 questionnaire).

The goal is to find out whether this type of exercise can improve breathing and overall health in women with excess weight.

Read the detailed description

This study aims to investigate the effect of an 8-week Pilates-based abdominal endurance and core stabilization exercise program on respiratory function in obese and overweight women (BMI ≥ 25). The intervention program is planned to last for a total of 24 sessions, 3 days a week. The exercises will be performed using reformer and cadillac devices, under the supervision of a physical therapist, at the Easyfiz Healthy Living Center.

Participants will be randomly assigned to two groups: an experimental group receiving the exercise intervention and a control group not receiving the intervention. Assessments conducted before and after the study for both groups will include the following parameters:

  • Spirometry (FEV₁, FVC, FEV₁/FVC ratio),
  • Respiratory rate,
  • Breath-holding time (in seconds),
  • Thoracoabdominal expansion (measured with a tape measure at the epigastric, subcostal, and lower costal levels),
  • Core muscle endurance (using the ACSM Curl-Up test),
  • Quality of life (using the 36-item Short Form - SF-36).

The exercise program will be planned in three phases:

Weeks 1-2: beginner level, Weeks 3-5: intermediate level, Weeks 6-8: advanced level. Each session will last approximately 45-50 minutes and will consist of a warm-up (diaphragmatic breathing and mobilization), main exercise (core stability and breathing-focused movements), and cool-down (stretching and breathing relaxation exercises).

This study aims to contribute to the field of cardiopulmonary rehabilitation by demonstrating the effects of a comprehensive exercise approach aimed at improving respiratory function and quality of life in obese individuals.

Being tested
Pilates-Based Core and Breathing Exercise Program
Keywords
Obesity, Overweight, Pulmonary Function, Pilates, Core Stabilization, Abdominal Endurance, Breathing Exercises, Body Mass Index, Respiratory Rate
Medical subject headings
Obesity, Overweight, Lung Diseases, Muscle Weakness

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Pilates-Based Core and Breathing Exercise ProgramBehavioural

    An 8-week supervised Pilates-based exercise program for overweight and obese women, focusing on abdominal endurance and core stabilization. Sessions (3/week) include diaphragmatic breathing, use of reformer and cadillac equipment, and structured warm-up, main, and cool-down phases.

Study groups in NCT07103499
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Intervention GroupExperimentalThis group will participate in an 8-week supervised Pilates-based exercise program focused on core stabilization and abdominal endurance. Sessions will be held three times a week at Easyfiz Clinic using reformer and cadillac Pilates equipment. Each session will include diaphragmatic breathing-based warm-up and cool-down components.
Receives: Behavioral: Pilates-Based Core and Breathing Exercise Program
Control GroupNo interventionParticipants in this group will not receive any specific exercise or breathing intervention. They will be instructed to maintain their usual daily activities during the study period.

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) - Spirometry

    Forced vital capacity (FVC) was assessed using spirometry and expressed in liters (L). FVC represents the maximum volume of air that can be forcibly exhaled after a maximal inspiration.

    Measured: Baseline and immediately after the 8-week intervention

  2. Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 Second (FEV₁) - Spirometry

    Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV₁) was assessed using spirometry and expressed in liters (L). FEV₁ represents the volume of air forcibly exhaled during the first second of a forced expiratory maneuver following maximal inspiration.

    Measured: Baseline and immediately after the 8-week intervention

  3. FEV₁/FVC Ratio - Spirometry

    The FEV₁/FVC ratio was calculated from spirometric measurements as the ratio of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV₁) to forced vital capacity (FVC) and expressed as a percentage (%)

    Measured: Baseline and immediately after the 8-week intervention

  4. Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) - Spirometry

    Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) was assessed using spirometry and expressed in liters per second (L/s). PEFR represents the maximum expiratory flow achieved during a forced expiratory maneuver following maximal inspiration.

    Measured: Baseline and immediately after the 8-week intervention

  5. Upper Thoracic Expansion (Upper Chest Mobility)

    Upper thoracic expansion (upper chest mobility) was assessed using a tape measure and expressed in centimeters (cm). The difference in chest circumference between maximal inspiration and maximal expiration was recorded to evaluate upper thoracic mobility.

    Measured: Baseline and immediately after the 8-week intervention

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted5 Aug 2025
  2. Study start1 Aug 2025
  3. Primary completion1 Oct 2025
  4. Study completion1 Oct 2025

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
54 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07103499
Sponsor's protocol ID
2025/345
Acronym
COREBREATH
Status last verified
Oct 2026
First submitted
29 Jul 2025
Last updated
3 Nov 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No: Individual participant data (IPD) will not be shared with other researchers.

Publications

  • Souza C, Kruger RL, Schmit EFD, Wagner Neto ES, Reischak-Oliveira A, de Sa CKC, Loss JF. Cardiorespiratory Adaptation to Pilates Training. Res Q Exerc Sport. 2021 Sep;92(3):453-459. doi: 10.1080/02701367.2020.1749222. Epub 2020 Jun 4.

    PubMed 32493165

  • Afsari, Z., Rahimi, N. M., & Azimkhani, A. (2024). Investigating the Effects of Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization Exercises on Chest Mobility, Upright Sitting Height, and Quality of Life in Obese Women. Physical Treatments-Specific Physical Therapy Journal, 14(2), 137-146.

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Pilates-Based Core and Breathing Exercise Program in people with Obesity and Overweight, run by Ondokuz Mayıs University at 2 sites in Turkey (Türkiye).

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 9 inclusion and 0 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 3 Nov 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 2 sites in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) - Spirometry (time frame: Baseline and immediately after the 8-week intervention). The study lists 5 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07103499, which also lists 2 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 3 Nov 2026.

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