Core StabilityNCT07652229
Effects of Diaphragmatic Breathing During Equipment-Based Pilates in Women
A study testing Diaphragmatic Breathing Exercise and Equipment-Based Pilates Training in people with Core Stability and Respiratory Function, run by Istanbul Aydın University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
This randomized controlled study aims to investigate the effects of diaphragmatic breathing exercises on core stabilization muscle strength, peak expiratory flow (PEF), and chest expansion in women performing equipment-based Pilates. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 20 to 50 years, women onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Core Stability, Respiratory Function, Diaphragmatic Breathing
- What is being tested?
- Diaphragmatic Breathing Exercise and Equipment-Based Pilates Training
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 44 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 15 Jun 2026to 15 Aug 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
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 50 years
- Women only
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Female participants aged 20-50 years. Healthy individuals regularly performing equipment-based Pilates exercises. Willingness to participate voluntarily and provide informed consent. Ability to attend Pilates sessions twice weekly for 8 weeks.
Who cannot join
- History of spinal trauma or surgery within the previous 6 months. Pregnancy. Diabetes mellitus or other systemic diseases. Respiratory or musculoskeletal disorders that may affect participation or outcome measurements.
- Cognitive or physical limitations preventing compliance with the study protocol.
- Failure to attend scheduled sessions or complete the intervention protocol. Development of pain, injury, or any medical condition requiring discontinuation during the study.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
Yeşim Dokuzluoğlu Private Pilates Studio
Istanbul, Istanbul
About this study
Official title: The Effects of Diaphragmatic Breathing Exercises on Core Stabilization Muscle Strength, Peak Expiratory Flow, and Chest Expansion in Women Performing Equipment-Based Pilates: A Randomized Controlled Trial
This randomized controlled study aims to investigate the effects of diaphragmatic breathing exercises on core stabilization muscle strength, peak expiratory flow (PEF), and chest expansion in women performing equipment-based Pilates.
A total of 44 healthy women aged 20 to 50 years who regularly participate in equipment-based Pilates exercises will be recruited and randomly assigned to one of two groups. The intervention group will receive equipment-based Pilates training combined with diaphragmatic breathing exercises, while the control group will receive equipment-based Pilates training only.
Read more
Both groups will participate in supervised exercise sessions twice weekly for 8 weeks. Core stabilization muscle strength, peak expiratory flow, and chest expansion measurements will be assessed before and after the intervention period.
The findings of this study may contribute to a better understanding of the additional effects of diaphragmatic breathing exercises on respiratory function and core stabilization in women performing Pilates.
Read the detailed description
Pilates is a popular exercise approach that is widely used in both healthy individuals and various clinical populations to improve flexibility, muscular strength, postural control, and core stability. One of the fundamental principles of Pilates is coordinated breathing during movement. Appropriate breathing patterns may enhance trunk stabilization and optimize exercise performance.
The diaphragm is the primary muscle of respiration and also plays an important role in core stabilization through its interaction with the abdominal muscles, pelvic floor muscles, and deep spinal stabilizers. Diaphragmatic breathing exercises have been shown to improve respiratory function, chest mobility, and trunk muscle activation. However, limited evidence exists regarding the additional effects of diaphragmatic breathing exercises in women who regularly perform equipment-based Pilates exercises.
The aim of this randomized controlled study is to investigate the effects of diaphragmatic breathing exercises on core stabilization muscle strength, peak expiratory flow (PEF), and chest expansion in women performing equipment-based Pilates.
Healthy women aged 20 to 50 years who regularly participate in equipment-based Pilates exercises will be recruited. Participants who meet the eligibility criteria and provide written informed consent will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. The intervention group will receive equipment-based Pilates exercises combined with diaphragmatic breathing exercises, whereas the control group will receive equipment-based Pilates exercises only.
Both groups will participate in supervised exercise sessions twice weekly for a total of 8 weeks. Outcome assessments will be performed before and after the intervention period. Core stabilization muscle strength will be evaluated using a pressure biofeedback unit. Peak expiratory flow will be assessed using a peak flow meter, and chest expansion will be measured at different thoracic levels using a tape measure.
The primary outcome of the study is core stabilization muscle strength. Secondary outcomes include peak expiratory flow and chest expansion measurements. The findings of this study are expected to contribute to the understanding of the role of diaphragmatic breathing exercises in improving respiratory function and core stabilization in women performing equipment-based Pilates and may provide evidence for the development of more effective exercise programs.
- Being tested
- Diaphragmatic Breathing Exercise, Equipment-Based Pilates Training
- Keywords
- Pilates, Equipment-Based Pilates, Diaphragmatic Breathing, Core Stability, Peak Expiratory Flow, Chest Expansion, Respiratory Function
- Medical subject headings
- Respiratory Aspiration
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Diaphragmatic Breathing ExerciseBehavioural
Participants performed diaphragmatic breathing exercises twice weekly for 8 weeks under the supervision of a physiotherapist. The breathing exercises focused on diaphragmatic activation and controlled breathing patterns and were integrated into the Pilates training sessions.
Equipment-Based Pilates TrainingBehavioural
Participants received equipment-based Pilates training twice weekly for 8 weeks. Each session lasted approximately 50 minutes and was supervised by the same physiotherapist. The program focused on core stabilization, posture, flexibility, and muscle strengthening.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Pilates + Diaphragmatic Breathing | Experimental | Participants received equipment-based Pilates training combined with diaphragmatic breathing exercises twice weekly for 8 weeks. Each session lasted approximately 50 minutes and was supervised by the same physiotherapist. Receives: Behavioral: Diaphragmatic Breathing Exercise; Behavioral: Equipment-Based Pilates Training |
| Pilates Only | Active comparator | Participants received equipment-based Pilates training twice weekly for 8 weeks. Receives: Behavioral: Equipment-Based Pilates Training |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Core Stabilization Muscle Strength
Core stabilization muscle strength assessed using a Pressure Biofeedback Unit (PBU).
Measured: Baseline and 8 weeks
Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF)
Peak expiratory flow measured using a peak flow meter and recorded in liters per minute (L/min).
Measured: Baseline and 8 weeks
Secondary outcomes (1)
Chest Expansion
Chest expansion measured at the axillary, xiphoid, and subcostal levels using a flexible measuring tape.
Measured: Baseline and 8 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted17 Jun 2026
- Study start15 Jun 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion10 Aug 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion15 Aug 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Core StabilityStudies 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
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two parallel groups. The intervention group will receive equipment-based Pilates exercises combined with diaphragmatic breathing exercises, while the control group will receive equipment-based Pilates exercises only. Both groups will participate in supervised sessions twice weekly for 8 weeks. Outcome measures will be assessed before and after the intervention period.
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 44 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Istanbul Aydın University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Nava Mokhtari, Istanbul Aydın University
- Investigators
- Gözde Başbuğ, PhD, PT, Principal investigator, Istanbul Aydın University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07652229
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- İAU-FTR-NM-01
- Status last verified
- Jun 2026
- First submitted
- 11 Jun 2026
- Last updated
- 18 Jun 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No