Sedentary BehaviorsNCT07666919
Pilates for Sedentary Individuals
A study testing Pilates exercise and Walking exercise in people with Sedentary Behaviors and Core Muscle Weakness, run by Mahidol University at 1 site in Thailand.
Trial summary
The global rise in physical inactivity represents an escalating public health crisis, with the proportion of insufficiently active adults projected to reach 35% by 2030. Office workers are at the highest risk due to prolonged occupational sitting; a lifestyle factor heavily linked to various musculoskeletal disorders. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 59 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Sedentary Behaviors, Core Muscle Weakness
- What is being tested?
- Pilates exercise and Walking exercise
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 34 participants
- Where
- 1 siteThailand
- Study dates
- Aug 2026to Dec 2027
- 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 18 to 59 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Aged between 18 and 59 years.
- Had a Body Mass Index (BMI) of ≥ 23 kg/m2.
- Engaged in sedentary activities (sitting) for more than 7 hours per day.
- Passed the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q) assessment.
- Did not currently participate in any other exercise programs or physical activities during the study period.
Who cannot join
- Had visual impairments that could not be corrected with corrective lenses or glasses.
- Had a medical history of spinal or lower extremity surgery.
- Had medical conditions or received medications that affected balance and gait, such as neurological diseases or benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV).
- Pregnant during the study period.
- Had severe pain in any part of the body (pain score ≥ 7/10).
- Inability to follow the research procedures.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Thailand1 site
Faculty of Physical Therapy, Mahidol University
Salaya, Changwat Nakhon Pathom, 73170
Rommanee Rojasavastera, M.Sc., +66837830777, rommanee.roj@mahidol.ac.th
About this study
Official title: Efficacy of Pilates on Core Stability and Physical Fitness Among Sedentary Individuals
The global rise in physical inactivity represents an escalating public health crisis, with the proportion of insufficiently active adults projected to reach 35% by 2030. Office workers are at the highest risk due to prolonged occupational sitting; a lifestyle factor heavily linked to various musculoskeletal disorders. While maintaining an upright posture relies on the synergistic coordination of deep core muscles, extended sitting disrupts this muscular balance, leading to chronic postural decay. Although Pilates is proven to improve core muscle thickness, enhance physical fitness, and alleviate low back pain, existing literature shows high variability in training durations (ranging from 6 to 16 weeks) and lacks definitive conclusions regarding its long-term, residual effects post-intervention. Consequently, it remains unclear whether the benefits of Pilates can be sustained once the structured training stops. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the efficacy of Pilates on core stability and physical fitness among sedentary individuals, providing insights into sustainable exercise interventions.
- Conditions
- Sedentary Behaviors, Core Muscle Weakness
- Being tested
- Pilates exercise, Walking exercise
- Keywords
- core muscle, core stability, physical inactivity, pilates, sedentary behaviors
- Medical subject headings
- Sedentary Behavior
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Pilates exerciseOther
The 1-hour Pilates exercise program was supervised by an instructor.
Walking exerciseOther
The 1-hour walking exercise program was supervised by a physical therapist. Participants walked on a treadmill, where the speed was gradually increased to achieve a moderate intensity level, maintaining their heart rates within 64% to 70% of their maximum heart rate.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Experimental group | Experimental | Participants in the experimental group participated in a Pilates exercise program. Receives: Other: Pilates exercise |
| Control group | Active comparator | Participants in the control group participated in a walking exercise program. Receives: Other: Walking exercise |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Muscle thickness
A handheld ultrasound device was used to measure trunk muscle thickness at rest and during contraction.
Measured: Baseline, at 4 weeks post-training, at 8 weeks post-training, at 2 weeks post-training cessation, and at 4 weeks post-training cessation.
Muscle strength
A handheld dynamometer was used to measure trunk muscle strength. Participants were instructed to maintain a maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) for 5 seconds per trial, with a 30-second rest period between trials to minimize fatigue.
Measured: Baseline, at 4 weeks post-training, at 8 weeks post-training, at 2 weeks post-training cessation, and at 4 weeks post-training cessation.
Muscle flexibility
The sit-and-reach test was used to measure lower back and hamstring flexibility. Participants completed static stretching for 5 minutes before assessment. During the assessment, participants sat with knees fully extended and feet hip-width apart against the sit-and-reach box. They then reached forward, using their fingertips to displace the sliding scale as far as possible in a single trial.
Measured: Baseline, at 4 weeks post-training, at 8 weeks post-training, at 2 weeks post-training cessation, and at 4 weeks post-training cessation.
Muscle endurance
The McGill Core Endurance Test was used to measure trunk muscle endurance. Each test was conducted once, with the duration recorded using a digital stopwatch. Timing commenced once the participant achieved the standardized starting position and ceased when they could no longer maintain the required posture.
Measured: Baseline, at 4 weeks post-training, at 8 weeks post-training, at 2 weeks post-training cessation, and at 4 weeks post-training cessation.
Proprioception
Joint Repositioning Error (JRE) was measured under both eyes-open and eyes-closed conditions to assess proprioception. Participants began the assessment seated with their hips and knees flexed at 90°, feet positioned shoulder-width apart, and arms resting naturally at their sides. From this baseline, they were guided into a neutral reference position-defined by full trunk extension and a flat spinal alignment-which they were instructed to memorize. To facilitate measurement, a marker was placed at the first sacral vertebra (S1), and a laser pointer was fixed 50 cm away from this landmark. The testing procedure required participants to perform three cycles of trunk flexion and extension before attempting to return to the neutral reference position as accurately as possible. The JRE represented the distance between the laser beam's initial and final positions.
Measured: Baseline, at 4 weeks post-training, at 8 weeks post-training, at 2 weeks post-training cessation, and at 4 weeks post-training cessation.
Balance
The Y-Balance Test (YBT) was used to measure dynamic balance. Participants were instructed to reach out and push the indicator as far as possible.
Measured: Baseline, at 4 weeks post-training, at 8 weeks post-training, at 2 weeks post-training cessation, and at 4 weeks post-training cessation.
Secondary outcomes (3)
Posture
Posture was measured using the Posture-analyzing and Virtual Reconstructing (PAViR) system, which utilized an RGB-D camera for skeletal reconstruction.
Measured: Baseline, at 4 weeks post-training, at 8 weeks post-training, at 2 weeks post-training cessation, and at 4 weeks post-training cessation.
Pain level
Pain location was identified through participant interviews, while pain intensity was quantified using a 0-10 Visual Analogue Scale (VAS).
Measured: Baseline, at 4 weeks post-training, at 8 weeks post-training, at 2 weeks post-training cessation, and at 4 weeks post-training cessation.
Health-Related Quality of Life
Health-Related Quality of Life was measured using the Thai version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief (WHOQOL-BREF-THAI). This 26-item instrument assessed four core domains: physical health, psychological health, social relationships, and environment. Responses were scored on a Likert scale, with higher scores indicating better health status and overall QoL.
Measured: Baseline, at 4 weeks post-training, at 8 weeks post-training, at 2 weeks post-training cessation, and at 4 weeks post-training cessation.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted24 Jun 2026
- Study startAug 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completionAug 2027 (estimated)
- Study completionDec 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Sedentary BehaviorsStudies 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
- Model description
- The study was a single-blind randomized controlled trial with a 1:1 parallel-group design.
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 34 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Mahidol University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Rommanee Rojasavastera, Mahidol University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07666919
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- MU-CIRB 2026/290.0705
- Status last verified
- Jun 2026
- First submitted
- 18 Jun 2026
- Last updated
- 26 Jun 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: Research data will be shared in a de-identified format only; for instance, participant names will be replaced with codes, and faces will be blurred in all images.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 26 Jun 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Efficacy of Pilates on Core Stability and Physical Fitness Among Sedentary Individuals
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07666919
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- MU-CIRB 2026/290.0705
- Conditions
- Sedentary Behaviors, Core Muscle Weakness
- Keywords
- core muscle, core stability, physical inactivity, pilates, sedentary behaviors
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 34 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Mahidol UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- Aug 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- Aug 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- Dec 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 24 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.
The global rise in physical inactivity represents an escalating public health crisis, with the proportion of insufficiently active adults projected to reach 35% by 2030. Office workers are at the highest risk due to prolonged occupational sitting; a lifestyle factor heavily linked to various musculoskeletal disorders. While maintaining an upright posture relies on the synergistic coordination of deep core muscles, extended sitting disrupts this muscular balance, leading to chronic postural decay. Although Pilates is proven to improve core muscle thickness, enhance physical fitness, and alleviate low back pain, existing literature shows high variability in training durations (ranging from 6 to 16 weeks) and lacks definitive conclusions regarding its long-term, residual effects post-intervention. Consequently, it remains unclear whether the benefits of Pilates can be sustained once the structured training stops. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the efficacy of Pilates on core stability and physical fitness among sedentary individuals, providing insights into sustainable exercise interventions.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- The study was a single-blind randomized controlled trial with a 1:1 parallel-group design.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Experimental group | Experimental | Other: Pilates exerciseParticipants in the experimental group participated in a Pilates exercise program. |
| Control group | Active comparator | Other: Walking exerciseParticipants in the control group participated in a walking exercise program. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 59 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Aged between 18 and 59 years.
- Had a Body Mass Index (BMI) of ≥ 23 kg/m2.
- Engaged in sedentary activities (sitting) for more than 7 hours per day.
- Passed the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q) assessment.
- Did not currently participate in any other exercise programs or physical activities during the study period.
Key exclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Had visual impairments that could not be corrected with corrective lenses or glasses.
- Had a medical history of spinal or lower extremity surgery.
- Had medical conditions or received medications that affected balance and gait, such as neurological diseases or benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV).
- Pregnant during the study period.
- Had severe pain in any part of the body (pain score ≥ 7/10).
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Pilates exerciseThe 1-hour Pilates exercise program was supervised by an instructor. | Other | Experimental group |
| Walking exerciseThe 1-hour walking exercise program was supervised by a physical therapist. Participants walked on a treadmill, where the speed was gradually increased to achieve a moderate intensity level, maintaining their heart rates within 64% to 70% of their maximum heart rate. | Other | Control group |
Primary outcome
Muscle thickness
Time frame: Baseline, at 4 weeks post-training, at 8 weeks post-training, at 2 weeks post-training cessation, and at 4 weeks post-training cessation.
A handheld ultrasound device was used to measure trunk muscle thickness at rest and during contraction.
Muscle strength
Time frame: Baseline, at 4 weeks post-training, at 8 weeks post-training, at 2 weeks post-training cessation, and at 4 weeks post-training cessation.
A handheld dynamometer was used to measure trunk muscle strength. Participants were instructed to maintain a maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) for 5 seconds per trial, with a 30-second rest period between trials to minimize fatigue.
Muscle flexibility
Time frame: Baseline, at 4 weeks post-training, at 8 weeks post-training, at 2 weeks post-training cessation, and at 4 weeks post-training cessation.
The sit-and-reach test was used to measure lower back and hamstring flexibility. Participants completed static stretching for 5 minutes before assessment. During the assessment, participants sat with knees fully extended and feet hip-width apart against the sit-and-reach box. They then reached forward, using their fingertips to displace the sliding scale as far as possible in a single trial.
Muscle endurance
Time frame: Baseline, at 4 weeks post-training, at 8 weeks post-training, at 2 weeks post-training cessation, and at 4 weeks post-training cessation.
The McGill Core Endurance Test was used to measure trunk muscle endurance. Each test was conducted once, with the duration recorded using a digital stopwatch. Timing commenced once the participant achieved the standardized starting position and ceased when they could no longer maintain the required posture.
Proprioception
Time frame: Baseline, at 4 weeks post-training, at 8 weeks post-training, at 2 weeks post-training cessation, and at 4 weeks post-training cessation.
Joint Repositioning Error (JRE) was measured under both eyes-open and eyes-closed conditions to assess proprioception. Participants began the assessment seated with their hips and knees flexed at 90°, feet positioned shoulder-width apart, and arms resting naturally at their sides. From this baseline, they were guided into a neutral reference position-defined by full trunk extension and a flat spinal alignment-which they were instructed to memorize. To facilitate measurement, a marker was placed at the first sacral vertebra (S1), and a laser pointer was fixed 50 cm away from this landmark. The testing procedure required participants to perform three cycles of trunk flexion and extension before attempting to return to the neutral reference position as accurately as possible. The JRE represented the distance between the laser beam's initial and final positions.
Balance
Time frame: Baseline, at 4 weeks post-training, at 8 weeks post-training, at 2 weeks post-training cessation, and at 4 weeks post-training cessation.
The Y-Balance Test (YBT) was used to measure dynamic balance. Participants were instructed to reach out and push the indicator as far as possible.
3 secondary outcomes
Posture
Time frame: Baseline, at 4 weeks post-training, at 8 weeks post-training, at 2 weeks post-training cessation, and at 4 weeks post-training cessation.
Pain level
Time frame: Baseline, at 4 weeks post-training, at 8 weeks post-training, at 2 weeks post-training cessation, and at 4 weeks post-training cessation.
Health-Related Quality of Life
Time frame: Baseline, at 4 weeks post-training, at 8 weeks post-training, at 2 weeks post-training cessation, and at 4 weeks post-training cessation.
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 26 Jun 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. Research data will be shared in a de-identified format only; for instance, participant names will be replaced with codes, and faces will be blurred in all images.
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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.
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 exercise and Walking exercise in people with Sedentary Behaviors and Core Muscle Weakness, run by Mahidol University at 1 site in Thailand.
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 5 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: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 26 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 Thailand. 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 Rommanee Rojasavastera, M.Sc. (+66837830777, rommanee.roj@mahidol.ac.th), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Muscle thickness (time frame: Baseline, at 4 weeks post-training, at 8 weeks post-training, at 2 weeks post-training cessation, and at 4 weeks post-training cessation.). The study lists 6 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 26 Jun 2026.