Improved Body Composition
Conditions
Brief summary
Pilates exercises have been shown to be effective for a range of outcomes; however, it is unclear whether they can effectively contribute to fat mass reduction, especially when compared with a technique known to be effective for this purpose, such as aerobic training. Furthermore, Pilates' potential for increasing lean mass also requires further investigation. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of Pilates compared with aerobic training, as well as the combination of these activities, on body composition in young adults. Eighty women aged 18 to 40 years were randomized to four groups: Pilates (n = 20), aerobic (n = 20), Pilates plus aerobic (n = 20), and control (n = 20). Body composition was assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), considering: total fat mass (kg), percentage of total fat mass (%), total lean mass (kg), and total lean mass adjusted for height (kg/m²). Additionally, total body mass (kg) and body mass index (BMI) (kg/m2) values were considered. The interventions were carried out for 12 weeks, three times a week, lasting 60 minutes/session. Analyses were performed by intention-to-treat and per protocol.
Interventions
OTHERPilates exercises
Pilates exercises are characterized as muscle strengthening and stretching.
Pilates exercises are characterized as muscle strengthening and stretching, while aerobic exercises are characterized as a modality that works cardiorespiratory fitness.
OTHERAerobic exercise
Aerobic exercises are characterized as a modality that works cardiorespiratory fitness.
Sponsors
Universidade Estadual do Norte do Parana
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)
Masking description
Researcher responsible for randomization
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
18 Years to 40 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Female; * Age between 18 and 40 years; * Not having exercised in the last 6 months; * Agreeing not to perform any other type of exercise during the study period; * Being fit to exercise according to the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q) criteria; * Not having musculoskeletal or neurological disorders that could affect exercise performance; * Not having known cardiovascular or respiratory diseases; * Not having cognitive impairment that leads to the inability to follow simple commands; * Not being a smoker; * Not being pregnant; * Not being on any specific diets.
Exclusion criteria
* Refusing to sign the informed consent form; * Unable to complete the pre-intervention assessment procedures.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Percentage of total body fat mass (%) | Baseline and after 12 weeks | Percentage of total body fat mass assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) |
| Total lean mass (kg) | Baseline and after 12 weeks | Absolute total body lean mass assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) |
| Total fat mass (Kg) | Baseline and after 12 weeks | Absolute total body fat mass assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) |
| Total lean mass adjusted for height (kg/m²) | Baseline and after 12 weeks | Total lean mass adjusted for height assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Upper limb lean mass (kg) | Baseline and after 12 weeks | Upper limb lean mass assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) |
| Lower limb lean mass (kg) | Baseline and after 12 weeks | Lower limb lean mass assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) |
| Trunk fat mass (kg) | Baseline and after 12 weeks | Trunk fat mass assessed by dual-energy X-ray densitometry (DXA) |
| Body mass index (kg/m²) | Baseline and after 12 weeks | Body mass index calculated by the ratio of total body mass (measured by a precision scale) to height (measured by a stadiometer) squared |
| Total body mass (kg) | Baseline and after 12 weeks | Total body mass assessed by precision scale |
| Upper limb fat mass (kg) | Baseline and after 12 weeks | Upper limb fat mass assessed by dual-energy X-ray densitometry (DXA) |
| Lower limb fat mass (kg) | Baseline and after 12 weeks | Lower limb fat mass assessed by dual-energy X-ray densitometry (DXA) |
| Trunk lean mass (kg) | Baseline and after 12 weeks | Trunk lean mass assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) |
Countries
Brazil
Outcome results
None listed