Postpartum PeriodNCT07642245
Effects of Pilates and Moderate-Intensity Aerobic Exercise on Postpartum Weight Loss and Body Composition
A study testing Pilates and Aerobic Exercise in people with Postpartum Period, run by Riphah International University at 1 site in Pakistan.
Trial summary
After childbirth, many women experience difficulty losing pregnancy-related weight, which can affect their health, self-esteem, and physical activity. Regular exercise, including Pilates and moderate-intensity aerobic exercises, is considered a safe and natural method to improve fitness and support weight loss during… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 20 to 40 years, women only
- Conditions the study is for
- Postpartum Period
- What is being tested?
- Pilates and Aerobic Exercise
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 30 participants
- Where
- 1 sitePakistan
- Study dates
- 2 Apr 2025to 15 Oct 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
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 20 to 40 years
- Women only
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Women aged 20 to 40 years
- BMI > 25kg/m2 at baseline
- Medically cleared by a health professional to perform physical activity
- Women 6 to 24 weeks postpartum
Who cannot join
- Women with complications during delivery (Cesarean complications, perineal tears grade 3 or 4)
- Presence of chronic disorders (diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disorders, severe anemia)
- Neuromusculoskeletal disorders affecting physical activity
- Currently participating in another fitness program
- Postpartum depression or other psychological disorders that may affect adherence
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Pakistan1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Ghurki Teaching Hospital
Lahore, Punjab Province, 54000
Ghulam Fatima, PhD*, 03034073057, ghulam.fatima@riphah.edu.pk
About this study
Official title: Effects of Pilates Versus Moderate Intensity Aerobic Exercises on Weight Loss, Body Mass Index and Waist to Hip Ratio in Postpartum Period.
After childbirth, many women experience difficulty losing pregnancy-related weight, which can affect their health, self-esteem, and physical activity. Regular exercise, including Pilates and moderate-intensity aerobic exercises, is considered a safe and natural method to improve fitness and support weight loss during the postpartum period. This study aims to compare the effects of Pilates and aerobic exercise on body weight, Body Mass Index (BMI), and waist-to-hip ratio in postpartum women over 8 weeks. Participants will be randomly assigned to either a Pilates group or an aerobic exercise group, with both groups exercising three times weekly for 45-60 minutes. The results will then be compared to determine which exercise method is more effective.
Read the detailed description
After childbirth, many women find it hard to lose the extra weight they gained during pregnancy. This weight can affect their health, self-esteem, and ability to stay active. Regular exercise is a safe and natural way to help lose weight and improve fitness during the postpartum period. Two popular forms of exercise are Pilates and moderate-intensity aerobic exercises (like brisk walking or cycling).
This study aims to find out which type of exercise-Pilates or aerobic exercise- is more helpful for postpartum women in reducing body weight, Body Mass Index (BMI), and waist-to-hip ratio over a period of 8 weeks. To do this, women will be randomly divided into two groups. One group will do Pilates exercises, and the other group will do aerobic exercises. Both groups will exercise three times a week for about 45-60 minutes each session. At the end of 8 weeks, the results will be compared to see which type of exercise is more effective.
- Conditions
- Postpartum Period
- Being tested
- Pilates, Aerobic Exercise
- Keywords
- Aerobic Exerciser, Body Mass Index, Exercise Therapy, Pilates
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
PilatesOther
Pilates Group Type of Exercise: Mat-based Pilates focusing on core stability, breathing control, flexibility, and pelvic floor strengthening. Structure: Warm-up (10 mins): Light mobility and breathing exercises; Main Session (30-40 mins): Pelvic tilts, bridging, leg stretches, roll-ups, side-lying series; Focus on posture, controlled movement, and core engagement; Cool-down (5-10 mins): Gentle stretching and relaxation. Progression: Gradual increase in intensity and complexity over 8 weeks. Supervision: Sessions led by a trained physiotherapist or certified Pilates instructor.
Aerobic ExerciseOther
Aerobic Exercise Group Type of Exercise: Moderate intensity aerobic training (e.g., brisk walking, cycling, or low-impact dance routines). Intensity: 50-70% of maximum heart rate (monitored using Rate of Perceived Exertion Scale 11-13 on Borg Scale). Structure: Warm-up (10 mins): Marching in place, arm circles, step touch; Main Session (30-40 mins): Rhythmic aerobic routines or treadmill walking; Cool-down (5-10 mins): Stretching major muscle groups. Supervision: Sessions conducted under the guidance of a physiotherapist or fitness instructor.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Group A - Pilates Group | Experimental | Type of Exercise: Mat-based Pilates focusing on core stability, breathing control, flexibility, and pelvic floor strengthening Receives: Other: Pilates |
| Group B - Aerobic Exercise Group | Active comparator | Moderate intensity aerobic training (e.g., brisk walking, cycling, or low-impact dance routines) Intensity: 50-70% of maximum heart rate (monitored using Rate of Perceived Exertion Scale 11-13 on Borg Scale) Receives: Other: Aerobic Exercise |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Weight (kilograms) - measured using a calibrated weighing scale
Measured with a calibrated digital weighing scale. Participants will be weighed barefoot, wearing light clothing, after emptying their bladder. Reliable if calibrated regularly and used under standardized conditions (same scale, same time of day, light clothing, after voiding). Test-retest reliability > 0.97. Highly valid for measuring body weight; directly measures mass in kilogram. The scale's accuracy is typically within 0.1 kg.
Measured: 8 weeks
Body Mass Index (BMI)
Calculated by dividing weight (kg) by the square of height (m) (BMI = weight/height²). Height will be measured once at baseline with a stadiometer. Reliable when the procedure is standardized (barefoot, standing straight, head in Frankfort plane). Intra-observer reliability > 0.95. Valid anthropometric tool; stadiometers accurately reflect true stature when calibrated.
Measured: 8 weeks
Waist to Hip Ratio (WHR)
Calculated by dividing Waist by Hip (WHR = Waist cm / Hip cm). Reliable if both waist and hip are measured accurately with the same procedure. WHR is a well validated indicator of body-fat distribution and health-risk; a higher WHR is strongly associated with metabolic disorders
Measured: 8 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted11 Jun 2026
- Study start2 Apr 2025
- Primary completion2 Sep 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion15 Oct 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (3)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Postpartum PeriodStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
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
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 30 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Riphah International University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Zainab Nadeem, MS*, Principal investigator, Riphah International University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07642245
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- REC/RCR & AHS/25/0527
- Status last verified
- Jun 2026
- First submitted
- 8 Jun 2026
- Last updated
- 11 Jun 2026
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Seitz D, Hintze A. [Myelomalacia following vertebral angiography with a femoral catheter (author's transl)]. Rofo. 1976 Jul;125(1):59-62. doi: 10.1055/s-0029-1230418. German.
PubMed 133946Goldstein J. Biologic and clinical considerations of hepatitis B infection. J Endod. 1979 Feb;5(2):56-9. doi: 10.1016/S0099-2399(79)80108-9. No abstract available.
PubMed 296244Drake AF, Dufton MJ, Hider RC. The flexible nature of a critical peptide region common to all Elapidae "short" neurotoxins. FEBS Lett. 1977 Nov 15;83(2):202-6. doi: 10.1016/0014-5793(77)81005-3. No abstract available.
PubMed 590500
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 11 Jun 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects of Pilates Versus Moderate Intensity Aerobic Exercises on Weight Loss, Body Mass Index and Waist to Hip Ratio in Postpartum Period.
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07642245
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- REC/RCR & AHS/25/0527
- Conditions
- Postpartum Period
- Keywords
- Aerobic Exerciser, Body Mass Index, Exercise Therapy, Pilates
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 30 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Riphah International UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 2 Apr 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 2 Sep 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 15 Oct 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 11 Jun 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
After childbirth, many women experience difficulty losing pregnancy-related weight, which can affect their health, self-esteem, and physical activity. Regular exercise, including Pilates and moderate-intensity aerobic exercises, is considered a safe and natural method to improve fitness and support weight loss during the postpartum period. This study aims to compare the effects of Pilates and aerobic exercise on body weight, Body Mass Index (BMI), and waist-to-hip ratio in postpartum women over 8 weeks. Participants will be randomly assigned to either a Pilates group or an aerobic exercise group, with both groups exercising three times weekly for 45-60 minutes. The results will then be compared to determine which exercise method is more effective.
Detailed description
After childbirth, many women find it hard to lose the extra weight they gained during pregnancy. This weight can affect their health, self-esteem, and ability to stay active. Regular exercise is a safe and natural way to help lose weight and improve fitness during the postpartum period. Two popular forms of exercise are Pilates and moderate-intensity aerobic exercises (like brisk walking or cycling).
This study aims to find out which type of exercise-Pilates or aerobic exercise- is more helpful for postpartum women in reducing body weight, Body Mass Index (BMI), and waist-to-hip ratio over a period of 8 weeks. To do this, women will be randomly divided into two groups. One group will do Pilates exercises, and the other group will do aerobic exercises. Both groups will exercise three times a week for about 45-60 minutes each session. At the end of 8 weeks, the results will be compared to see which type of exercise is more effective.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Group A - Pilates Group | Experimental | Other: PilatesType of Exercise: Mat-based Pilates focusing on core stability, breathing control, flexibility, and pelvic floor strengthening |
| Group B - Aerobic Exercise Group | Active comparator | Other: Aerobic ExerciseModerate intensity aerobic training (e.g., brisk walking, cycling, or low-impact dance routines) Intensity: 50-70% of maximum heart rate (monitored using Rate of Perceived Exertion Scale 11-13 on Borg Scale) |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 20 to 40 years
- Sex
- Female only
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Women aged 20 to 40 years
- BMI > 25kg/m2 at baseline
- Medically cleared by a health professional to perform physical activity
- Women 6 to 24 weeks postpartum
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Women with complications during delivery (Cesarean complications, perineal tears grade 3 or 4)
- Presence of chronic disorders (diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disorders, severe anemia)
- Neuromusculoskeletal disorders affecting physical activity
- Currently participating in another fitness program
- Postpartum depression or other psychological disorders that may affect adherence
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| PilatesPilates Group Type of Exercise: Mat-based Pilates focusing on core stability, breathing control, flexibility, and pelvic floor strengthening. Structure: Warm-up (10 mins): Light mobility and breathing exercises; Main Session (30-40 mins): Pelvic tilts, bridging, leg stretches, roll-ups, side-lying series; Focus on posture, controlled movement, and core engagement; Cool-down (5-10 mins): Gentle stretching and relaxation. Progression: Gradual increase in intensity and complexity over 8 weeks. Supervision: Sessions led by a trained physiotherapist or certified Pilates instructor. | Other | Group A - Pilates Group |
| Aerobic ExerciseAerobic Exercise Group Type of Exercise: Moderate intensity aerobic training (e.g., brisk walking, cycling, or low-impact dance routines). Intensity: 50-70% of maximum heart rate (monitored using Rate of Perceived Exertion Scale 11-13 on Borg Scale). Structure: Warm-up (10 mins): Marching in place, arm circles, step touch; Main Session (30-40 mins): Rhythmic aerobic routines or treadmill walking; Cool-down (5-10 mins): Stretching major muscle groups. Supervision: Sessions conducted under the guidance of a physiotherapist or fitness instructor. | Other | Group B - Aerobic Exercise Group |
Primary outcome
Weight (kilograms) - measured using a calibrated weighing scale
Time frame: 8 weeks
Measured with a calibrated digital weighing scale. Participants will be weighed barefoot, wearing light clothing, after emptying their bladder. Reliable if calibrated regularly and used under standardized conditions (same scale, same time of day, light clothing, after voiding). Test-retest reliability > 0.97. Highly valid for measuring body weight; directly measures mass in kilogram. The scale's accuracy is typically within 0.1 kg.
Body Mass Index (BMI)
Time frame: 8 weeks
Calculated by dividing weight (kg) by the square of height (m) (BMI = weight/height²). Height will be measured once at baseline with a stadiometer. Reliable when the procedure is standardized (barefoot, standing straight, head in Frankfort plane). Intra-observer reliability > 0.95. Valid anthropometric tool; stadiometers accurately reflect true stature when calibrated.
Waist to Hip Ratio (WHR)
Time frame: 8 weeks
Calculated by dividing Waist by Hip (WHR = Waist cm / Hip cm). Reliable if both waist and hip are measured accurately with the same procedure. WHR is a well validated indicator of body-fat distribution and health-risk; a higher WHR is strongly associated with metabolic disorders
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 11 Jun 2026.
- Background: PubMed 133946Seitz D, Hintze A. [Myelomalacia following vertebral angiography with a femoral catheter (author's transl)]. Rofo. 1976 Jul;125(1):59-62. doi: 10.1055/s-0029-1230418. German.
- Background: PubMed 296244Goldstein J. Biologic and clinical considerations of hepatitis B infection. J Endod. 1979 Feb;5(2):56-9. doi: 10.1016/S0099-2399(79)80108-9. No abstract available.
- Background: PubMed 590500Drake AF, Dufton MJ, Hider RC. The flexible nature of a critical peptide region common to all Elapidae "short" neurotoxins. FEBS Lett. 1977 Nov 15;83(2):202-6. doi: 10.1016/0014-5793(77)81005-3. No abstract available.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Zainab Nadeem, MS* principal investigator
Riphah International University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Pilates and Aerobic Exercise in people with Postpartum Period, run by Riphah International University at 1 site in Pakistan.
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 4 inclusion and 5 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: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 11 Jun 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 Pakistan. 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?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Imran Amjad, PHD* (03324390125, imran.amjad@riphah.edu.pk), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Weight (kilograms) - measured using a calibrated weighing scale (time frame: 8 weeks). The study lists 3 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 NCT07642245, which also lists 3 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 11 Jun 2026.