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Overweight and ObesityNCT07498790

Equal-Volume Pilates Frequency in Women With Overweight and Obesity

A study testing Pilates Exercise in people with Overweight and Obesity, run by Pamukkale University at 1 site 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

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether doing Pilates two days per week or three days per week leads to different health outcomes in women with overweight and obesity, when the total number of exercise sessions is the same. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 65 years, women only
Conditions the study is for
Overweight and Obesity
What is being tested?
Pilates Exercise
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
51 participants
Where
1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
Study dates
11 Sep 2023to 26 Apr 2024
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 65 years
  • Women only
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Female participants aged 18-65 years.
  • Body mass index (BMI) ≥27 kg/m².
  • Waist circumference >88 cm.
  • Ability to ambulate independently.
  • Sufficient cognitive ability to understand instructions and cooperate with assessments.
  • Willingness to participate and provide written informed consent.

Who cannot join

  • Musculoskeletal surgery within the previous six months.
  • Severe cardiopulmonary disease (e.g., recent myocardial infarction or unstable angina).
  • Musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, or cognitive conditions interfering with safe participation.
  • Use of medications known to affect bone metabolism.
  • Pregnancy.
  • Presence of metallic implants or electronic devices (e.g., pacemakers).

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
  • Pamukkale University, Faculty of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation

    Denizli, Denizli

Other trials in Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

Official title: Effects of Equal-Volume Pilates Training Delivered at Different Weekly Frequencies on Functional Performance, Musculoskeletal Symptoms, and Quality of Life in Women With Overweight and Obesity

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether doing Pilates two days per week or three days per week leads to different health outcomes in women with overweight and obesity, when the total number of exercise sessions is the same.

The study focuses on how these two Pilates schedules affect daily movement, balance, body measurements, and quality of life.

Read more

The main questions it aims to answer are:

When participants complete a total of thirty-six Pilates sessions, are there differences in functional performance between a program done three days per week for twelve weeks and a program done two days per week for eighteen weeks? Which program improves balance more? Which program improves obesity-related quality of life more? Are there differences between the two programs in waist and hip measurements, physical activity level, and musculoskeletal complaints?

Researchers will compare two supervised Pilates programs:

Pilates done three times per week for twelve weeks (thirty-six sessions total) Pilates done two times per week for eighteen weeks (thirty-six sessions total)

Participants will:

Be randomly assigned by computer to one of the two Pilates programs Take part in thirty-six supervised, mat-based Pilates sessions Have exercise intensity checked during sessions using the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion scale Complete tests and measurements at the start and end of the study, such as walking and balance tests, body measurements, and questionnaires Be encouraged to walk at least two days per week on days without Pilates and record this activity in an exercise diary.

Read the detailed description

This randomized clinical trial was designed to examine whether the weekly frequency of supervised Pilates exercise influences functional, musculoskeletal, and quality of life outcomes in women with overweight and obesity when total exercise volume is held constant.

Participants were allocated to one of two intervention groups using computer-generated randomization. One group completed a higher-frequency, shorter-duration program consisting of three supervised Pilates sessions per week over twelve weeks, while the other group completed a lower-frequency, longer-duration program consisting of two supervised sessions per week over eighteen weeks. Both groups completed an identical total of thirty-six supervised mat-based Pilates sessions, allowing exercise frequency and temporal distribution to be examined independently of total training dose.

All Pilates sessions were delivered in a supervised group setting and followed a standardized and progressive protocol. Prior to the intervention, participants attended a familiarization session during which fundamental Pilates principles, including breathing control, core activation, postural alignment, and safe execution of exercises in different positions, were introduced. Each exercise session consisted of a warm-up period, a main Pilates exercise component, and a cool-down period. The program progressed in planned phases by gradually increasing exercise complexity and challenge through changes in body position, repetition number, holding time, and stability demands, while maintaining participant safety.

Exercise intensity during sessions was monitored using the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale, with participants encouraged to remain within a moderate to moderately high perceived intensity range. Individual modifications and support were provided when necessary to accommodate physical limitations or discomfort and to ensure correct movement execution.

In addition to the supervised Pilates sessions, participants in both groups were advised to engage in walking activity on at least two non-Pilates days per week. Adherence to both Pilates sessions and walking recommendations was monitored using an exercise diary, in which attendance, perceived exertion, and any exercise-related complaints were recorded.

Outcome assessments were conducted at baseline and after completion of the intervention period by the same physiotherapist to ensure consistency. Assessments focused on functional performance, balance, anthropometric measures, physical activity level, musculoskeletal symptoms, and obesity-specific quality of life, using validated performance tests and self-reported questionnaires.

The rationale for this study was based on evidence suggesting that total training volume is a primary determinant of exercise adaptation, while the independent contribution of weekly frequency remains unclear, particularly for low-impact, neuromuscular-focused exercise modalities such as Pilates. Individuals with overweight and obesity may also experience altered recovery capacity and musculoskeletal burden, making the optimal distribution of exercise sessions clinically relevant. By equating total supervised exercise volume, this study aimed to clarify whether distributing the same exercise dose across different weekly schedules results in distinct functional or quality-of-life outcomes.

This study was conducted in accordance with ethical principles for research involving human participants, and all participants provided written informed consent prior to participation.

Being tested
Pilates Exercise
Keywords
Pilates exercise, overweight and obesity, functional performance, training frequency, quality of life, women
Medical subject headings
Overweight, Obesity

What participants receive

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

  • Pilates ExerciseBehavioural

    Supervised mat-based Pilates exercise program designed to improve core stabilization, postural alignment, balance, and controlled movement patterns. Sessions were delivered in a group setting and progressed gradually in difficulty. Exercise intensity was monitored using the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion scale to maintain moderate to moderately high intensity.

Study groups in NCT07498790
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Pilates 3 Days per WeekExperimentalParticipants assigned to this arm performed supervised mat-based Pilates exercises three times per week for twelve weeks, completing a total of thirty-six sessions.
Receives: Behavioral: Pilates Exercise
Pilates 2 Days per WeekExperimentalParticipants assigned to this arm performed supervised mat-based Pilates exercises two times per week for eighteen weeks, completing a total of thirty-six sessions.
Receives: Behavioral: Pilates Exercise

What is being measured

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

  1. Timed Up and Go (TUG) test time

    Time in seconds required to stand up from a chair without armrests (approximately 46 cm height), walk 3 meters, turn around, walk back, and sit down. Lower values indicate better functional mobility.

    Measured: aseline and end of intervention (Week 12 for participants in the 3-days/week group; Week 18 for participants in the 2-days/week group)

  2. Single-leg stance test time

    Time in seconds the participant was able to maintain single-leg stance on the dominant and nondominant lower extremity without losing balance, swaying excessively, touching the raised foot to the ground, or stepping. Two measurements were obtained, and the higher value was recorded.

    Measured: Baseline and end of intervention (Week 12 for participants in the 3-days/week group; Week 18 for participants in the 2-days/week group)

  3. 30-Second Chair Stand Test Repetitions

    Number of sit-to-stand repetitions completed in 30 seconds from a standard-height chair without using the arms. Higher values indicate better lower-extremity functional performance.

    Measured: Baseline and end of intervention (Week 12 for participants in the 3-days/week group; Week 18 for participants in the 2-days/week group)

  4. Six-minute walk test distance

    Distance walked in meters during the 6-minute walk test performed along a 30-meter corridor at the participant's maximum safe walking speed without running. Higher values indicate better submaximal functional exercise capacity.

    Measured: Baseline and end of intervention (Week 12 for participants in the 3-days/week group; Week 18 for participants in the 2-days/week group)

Secondary outcomes (6)
  1. Body Mass Index

    Body mass index (BMI) calculated as body weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared.

    Measured: Baseline and end of intervention (Week 12 for participants in the 3-days/week group; Week 18 for participants in the 2-days/week group)

  2. Waist Circumference

    Waist circumference measured in centimeters at the level of the superior iliac crest using a tape measure.

    Measured: Baseline and end of intervention (Week 12 for participants in the 3-days/week group; Week 18 for participants in the 2-days/week group)

  3. Hip circumference

    Hip circumference measured in centimeters at the widest point of the hips using a tape measure.

    Measured: Baseline and end of intervention (Week 12 for participants in the 3-days/week group; Week 18 for participants in the 2-days/week group)

  4. International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form

    Total physical activity level calculated from the IPAQ-SF as MET-minutes per week based on vigorous-intensity activity, moderate-intensity activity, and walking performed during the previous 7 days. Sitting time was not included in the total score.

    Measured: Baseline and end of intervention (Week 12 for participants in the 3-days/week group; Week 18 for participants in the 2-days/week group)

  5. Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire

    Total score derived from the Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire based on ratings of discomfort frequency, severity, and functional interference during the previous 7 days across the assessed body regions. Higher scores indicate greater musculoskeletal discomfort.

    Measured: Baseline and end of intervention (Week 12 for participants in the 3-days/week group; Week 18 for participants in the 2-days/week group)

  6. Obesity-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire

    Total score obtained by summing the item responses of the 17-item Obesity-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire.

    Measured: Baseline and end of intervention (Week 12 for participants in the 3-days/week group; Week 18 for participants in the 2-days/week group)

Timeline

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

  1. First posted27 Mar 2026
  2. Study start11 Sep 2023
  3. Primary completion15 Dec 2023
  4. Study completion26 Apr 2024

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
Model description
Participants were randomly assigned to one of two parallel intervention groups differing in weekly Pilates training frequency (two vs. three sessions per week), while total supervised exercise volume was held constant across groups.
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
51 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07498790
Sponsor's protocol ID
E-60116787-020-390690
Status last verified
Feb 2026
First submitted
18 Feb 2026
Last updated
27 Mar 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Pilates Exercise in people with Overweight and Obesity, run by Pamukkale University at 1 site 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 6 inclusion and 6 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 27 Mar 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site 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?

Timed Up and Go (TUG) test time (time frame: aseline and end of intervention (Week 12 for participants in the 3-days/week group; Week 18 for participants in the 2-days/week group)). The study lists 4 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?
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 27 Mar 2026.

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