Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)NCT07875400
High Intensity Interval Training Versus Mat Pilates in Women With PCOS
A study testing High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), Mat Pilates group and General mobility exercises in people with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) and Quality of Life, run by Riphah International University at 1 site in Pakistan.
Trial summary
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder affecting women of reproductive age and is associated with obesity, insulin resistance, poor physical fitness, and reduced quality of life. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 35 years, women only
- Conditions the study is for
- Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), Quality of Life, Physical Fitness
- What is being tested?
- High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), Mat Pilates group and General mobility exercises
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 60 participants
- Where
- 1 sitePakistan
- Study dates
- 20 Oct 2026to 31 Jul 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 35 years
- Women only
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Women diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) as per Rotterdam Criteria.
- Sedentary or low physical activity level.
- Willing to participate and provide informed consent.
Who cannot join
- Pregnancy or planning pregnancy
- Diagnosed endocrine disorders (e.g., thyroid disorders, Cushing syndrome)
- Diagnosed cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, or metabolic diseases.
- Recent pelvic or abdominal surgery.
- Currently on structured exercise program or hormonal therapy.
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
Riphah International University
Islamabad, Islamabad, 44000
Dr.Aneeqa Farooq, MSPT, 03333570667, aneeqafarooq1234@gmail.com
About this study
Official title: Effects of High Intensity Interval Training Versus Mat Pilates on Body Composition, Physical Fitness and Quality of Life in Women With Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder affecting women of reproductive age and is associated with obesity, insulin resistance, poor physical fitness, and reduced quality of life. This randomized controlled trial will examine how High intensity Interval Training (HIIT) and Mat Pilates effect body composition, physical fitness, and quality of life in women diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) . A total of 60 participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups; HIIT, Mat Pilates, or a control group. Each intervention will run for eight weeks, with body composition, physical fitness, and quality of life measured both before and after the program to evaluate the comparative effectiveness of the two exercise intervention.
Read the detailed description
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine disorders in women of reproductive age, with pooled global prevalence estimated at around 9-12% depending on diagnostic criteria. It is closely linked to insulin resistance, abnormal body composition, and reduced quality of life, alongside its reproductive features such as irregular cycles and hyperandrogenism. Lifestyle intervention, particularly structured exercise, is considered first-line management. High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) has shown consistent benefit in reducing BMI in women with PCOS, while Mat Pilates has separately been shown to improve body composition (weight, waist circumference, body fat percentage, visceral fat) and all domains of quality of life in this population. However, direct head-to-head comparison of the two modalities against a control group remains limited. Most previous trials evaluating HIIT or Mat Pilates in PCOS have compared the intervention only against usual care or a non-exercise control, without a second active exercise comparator. This design limits conclusions to "exercise vs. no exercise" rather than identifying which modality offers superior benefit. Including a control group alongside both HIIT and Mat Pilates arms allows this study to establish not only whether each intervention is effective relative to no intervention, but also whether one modality is superior to the other addressing a gap that single-arm or two-arm designs cannot resolve. Anthropometric measures (weight, BMI, waist circumference) BMI and waist circumference were selected as simple, low cost, reproducible measures of overall adiposity and central fat distribution, both strongly associated with insulin resistance in PCOS. Body fat percentage and visceral fat: Included to capture compositional change that BMI alone may miss for instance, stable BMI alongside reduced fat mass and increased lean mass, a change of clinical relevance since visceral fat is more metabolically active and more strongly linked to hyperandrogenism than subcutaneous fat. Cardiorespiratory / muscular fitness: Included because HIIT and Mat Pilates are hypothesized to act through distinct fitness-related pathways cardiorespiratory adaptation for HIIT, and muscular endurance and postural control for Pilates allowing the study to capture modality-specific physiological adaptation rather than relying on body composition alone. The PCOSQ (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Questionnaire) was selected as the quality-of-life outcome measure, as it is a disease-specific instrument developed and validated specifically for women with PCOS, capturing domains such as emotional disturbances, body hair, weight, infertility concerns, and menstrual problems offering greater sensitivity to PCOS-relevant change than a generic HRQL tool.
- Being tested
- High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), Mat Pilates group, General mobility exercises
- Keywords
- PPCOS, High Intensity Interval Training, HIIT, Mat Pilates, Body Composition, Physical Fitness, Women with PCOS, Exercise Training, Menstrual Irregularity
- Medical subject headings
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Menstruation Disturbances
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)Other
Participants will undergo a supervised 8-week High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) program, consisting of repeated bouts of high-intensity exercises alternated with active recovery periods. Each session will include a warm-up, HIIT exercises, and cool-down. Exercise intensity and duration will be progressively increased according to participants' tolerance and fitness level.
Mat Pilates groupOther
Participants will undergo a supervised 8-week Mat Pilates program, consisting of structured Pilates exercises focusing on core strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, posture, balance, and controlled breathing. Each session will include a warm-up, Pilates exercises, and cool-down. Exercise intensity and difficulty will be progressively increased according to participants' tolerance and fitness level.
General mobility exercisesOther
Participants will receive basic mobility exercises and general daily-life activity guidance throughout the 8-week study period.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Arm 1: HIIT Group | Experimental | Arm Description:
HIIT Group:
Participants will undergo a structured high-intensity interval training (HIIT) program for 8 weeks, consisting of repeated bouts of high-intensity exercise followed by active recovery periods. Sessions will be conducted under supervision and will progressively increase in intensity according to participants tolerance and fitness level. Receives: Other: High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) |
| Arm 2: Mat Pilates Group | Experimental | Mat Pilates Group:
Participants will undergo a structured mat Pilates program for 8 weeks, consisting of supervised Pilates exercises focusing on core strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, posture, balance, and controlled breathing. Exercise intensity will be progressively increased according to participants' tolerance and fitness level. Receives: Other: Mat Pilates group |
| Control | Other | Participants will receive basic mobility exercises and general daily-life activity guidance throughout the 8-week study period. Receives: Other: General mobility exercises |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in Body Composition
Change from baseline in body weight, measured in kilograms using a weighing scale.
Measured: Baseline and post-intervention (Week 8).
Body circumference
Change from baseline in body circumference (neck, chest, waist, hips, upper arm, thigh, and calf), measured in centimeters using a measuring tape.
Measured: Baseline and post-intervention (Week 8)
Change in Skinfold Thickness
Change from baseline in skinfold thickness, measured in millimeters using a skinfold caliper.
Measured: Baseline and post-intervention (Week 8)
Secondary outcomes (9)
Change in Quality of Life (PCOSQ score)
Change from baseline in health-related quality of life, assessed using the Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Questionnaire (PCOSQ).
Measured: Baseline and post-intervention (e.g., Week 8)
Change in 6-Minute Walk Test Distance
Change from baseline in functional exercise capacity, measured in meters using the Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT).
Measured: Baseline and post-intervention (Week 8).
Change in Curl-Up Repetitions
Change from baseline in core muscular endurance, measured in number of repetitions using the curl-up test.
Measured: Baseline and post-intervention (Week 8)
Change in Bird-Dog Test Performance
Change from baseline in core stability, measured in seconds (hold time) using the bird-dog test.
Measured: Baseline and post-intervention (Week 8)
Change in Wall-Squat Hold Time.
Change from baseline in lower-body muscular endurance, measured in seconds using the wall-squat test.
Measured: Baseline and post-intervention (Week 8).
Change in Squat Repetitions.
Change from baseline in lower-body muscular strength, measured in number of repetitions using the squat test.
Measured: Baseline and post-intervention (Week 8).
Change in Push-Up Repetitions.
Change from baseline in upper-body muscular strength and endurance, measured in number of repetitions using the push-up test.
Measured: Baseline and post-intervention (Week 8).
Change in Sit-and-Reach Distance.
Change from baseline in lower-back and hamstring flexibility, measured in centimeters using the sit-and-reach test.
Measured: Baseline and post-intervention (Week 8).
Change in Timed Up and Go (TUG).
Change from baseline in functional mobility and balance, measured in seconds using the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test.
Measured: Baseline and post-intervention (Week 8).
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted15 Oct 2026
- Study start20 Oct 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion30 Jun 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion31 Jul 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)Studies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Riphah International UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- 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
- This is a three-arm, parallel-group randomized controlled trial. Eligible participants will be randomly allocated in a 1:1:1 ratio to one of three groups: (1) High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), (2) Mat Pilates, or (3) a control group. Each group will receive its assigned intervention (or standard care, for the control group) concurrently over the same study duration, with outcomes assessed at baseline and post-intervention. Participants in each arm will not cross over to another intervention during the study period.
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Riphah International University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Aneeqa Farooq, Principal investigator, Riphah International University, Islamabad
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07875400
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- Aneeqa Farooq
- Status last verified
- Oct 2026
- First submitted
- 16 Sep 2026
- Last updated
- 15 Oct 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 15 Oct 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects of High Intensity Interval Training Versus Mat Pilates on Body Composition, Physical Fitness and Quality of Life in Women With Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07875400
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- Aneeqa Farooq
- Keywords
- PPCOS, High Intensity Interval Training, HIIT, Mat Pilates, Body Composition, Physical Fitness, Women with PCOS, Exercise Training
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Riphah International UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 20 Oct 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 30 Jun 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 31 Jul 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 15 Oct 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.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder affecting women of reproductive age and is associated with obesity, insulin resistance, poor physical fitness, and reduced quality of life. This randomized controlled trial will examine how High intensity Interval Training (HIIT) and Mat Pilates effect body composition, physical fitness, and quality of life in women diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) . A total of 60 participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups; HIIT, Mat Pilates, or a control group. Each intervention will run for eight weeks, with body composition, physical fitness, and quality of life measured both before and after the program to evaluate the comparative effectiveness of the two exercise intervention.
Detailed description
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine disorders in women of reproductive age, with pooled global prevalence estimated at around 9-12% depending on diagnostic criteria. It is closely linked to insulin resistance, abnormal body composition, and reduced quality of life, alongside its reproductive features such as irregular cycles and hyperandrogenism. Lifestyle intervention, particularly structured exercise, is considered first-line management. High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) has shown consistent benefit in reducing BMI in women with PCOS, while Mat Pilates has separately been shown to improve body composition (weight, waist circumference, body fat percentage, visceral fat) and all domains of quality of life in this population. However, direct head-to-head comparison of the two modalities against a control group remains limited. Most previous trials evaluating HIIT or Mat Pilates in PCOS have compared the intervention only against usual care or a non-exercise control, without a second active exercise comparator. This design limits conclusions to "exercise vs. no exercise" rather than identifying which modality offers superior benefit. Including a control group alongside both HIIT and Mat Pilates arms allows this study to establish not only whether each intervention is effective relative to no intervention, but also whether one modality is superior to the other addressing a gap that single-arm or two-arm designs cannot resolve. Anthropometric measures (weight, BMI, waist circumference) BMI and waist circumference were selected as simple, low cost, reproducible measures of overall adiposity and central fat distribution, both strongly associated with insulin resistance in PCOS. Body fat percentage and visceral fat: Included to capture compositional change that BMI alone may miss for instance, stable BMI alongside reduced fat mass and increased lean mass, a change of clinical relevance since visceral fat is more metabolically active and more strongly linked to hyperandrogenism than subcutaneous fat. Cardiorespiratory / muscular fitness: Included because HIIT and Mat Pilates are hypothesized to act through distinct fitness-related pathways cardiorespiratory adaptation for HIIT, and muscular endurance and postural control for Pilates allowing the study to capture modality-specific physiological adaptation rather than relying on body composition alone. The PCOSQ (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Questionnaire) was selected as the quality-of-life outcome measure, as it is a disease-specific instrument developed and validated specifically for women with PCOS, capturing domains such as emotional disturbances, body hair, weight, infertility concerns, and menstrual problems offering greater sensitivity to PCOS-relevant change than a generic HRQL tool.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 3
- Model description
- This is a three-arm, parallel-group randomized controlled trial. Eligible participants will be randomly allocated in a 1:1:1 ratio to one of three groups: (1) High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), (2) Mat Pilates, or (3) a control group. Each group will receive its assigned intervention (or standard care, for the control group) concurrently over the same study duration, with outcomes assessed at baseline and post-intervention. Participants in each arm will not cross over to another intervention during the study period.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Arm 1: HIIT Group | Experimental | Other: High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)Arm Description: HIIT Group: Participants will undergo a structured high-intensity interval training (HIIT) program for 8 weeks, consisting of repeated bouts of high-intensity exercise followed by active recovery periods. Sessions will be conducted under supervision and will progressively increase in intensity according to participants tolerance and fitness level. |
| Arm 2: Mat Pilates Group | Experimental | Other: Mat Pilates groupMat Pilates Group: Participants will undergo a structured mat Pilates program for 8 weeks, consisting of supervised Pilates exercises focusing on core strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, posture, balance, and controlled breathing. Exercise intensity will be progressively increased according to participants' tolerance and fitness level. |
| Control | Other | Other: General mobility exercisesParticipants will receive basic mobility exercises and general daily-life activity guidance throughout the 8-week study period. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 35 years
- Sex
- Female only
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Women diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) as per Rotterdam Criteria.
- Sedentary or low physical activity level.
- Willing to participate and provide informed consent.
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Pregnancy or planning pregnancy
- Diagnosed endocrine disorders (e.g., thyroid disorders, Cushing syndrome)
- Diagnosed cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, or metabolic diseases.
- Recent pelvic or abdominal surgery.
- Currently on structured exercise program or hormonal therapy.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)Participants will undergo a supervised 8-week High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) program, consisting of repeated bouts of high-intensity exercises alternated with active recovery periods. Each session will include a warm-up, HIIT exercises, and cool-down. Exercise intensity and duration will be progressively increased according to participants' tolerance and fitness level. | Other | Arm 1: HIIT Group |
| Mat Pilates groupParticipants will undergo a supervised 8-week Mat Pilates program, consisting of structured Pilates exercises focusing on core strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, posture, balance, and controlled breathing. Each session will include a warm-up, Pilates exercises, and cool-down. Exercise intensity and difficulty will be progressively increased according to participants' tolerance and fitness level. | Other | Arm 2: Mat Pilates Group |
| General mobility exercisesParticipants will receive basic mobility exercises and general daily-life activity guidance throughout the 8-week study period. | Other | Control |
Primary outcome
Change in Body Composition
Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention (Week 8).
Change from baseline in body weight, measured in kilograms using a weighing scale.
Body circumference
Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention (Week 8)
Change from baseline in body circumference (neck, chest, waist, hips, upper arm, thigh, and calf), measured in centimeters using a measuring tape.
Change in Skinfold Thickness
Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention (Week 8)
Change from baseline in skinfold thickness, measured in millimeters using a skinfold caliper.
9 secondary outcomes
Change in Quality of Life (PCOSQ score)
Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention (e.g., Week 8)
Change in 6-Minute Walk Test Distance
Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention (Week 8).
Change in Curl-Up Repetitions
Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention (Week 8)
Change in Bird-Dog Test Performance
Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention (Week 8)
Change in Wall-Squat Hold Time.
Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention (Week 8).
Change in Squat Repetitions.
Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention (Week 8).
Change in Push-Up Repetitions.
Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention (Week 8).
Change in Sit-and-Reach Distance.
Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention (Week 8).
Change in Timed Up and Go (TUG).
Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention (Week 8).
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 15 Oct 2026.
- 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.
Aneeqa Farooq principal investigator
Riphah International University, Islamabad
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), Mat Pilates group and General mobility exercises in people with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) and Quality of Life, 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 3 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: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 15 Oct 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 Huma Riaz (03215242874, huma.riaz@riphah.edu.pk), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Change in Body Composition (time frame: Baseline and post-intervention (Week 8).). 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?
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 15 Oct 2026.