Comparing Core Stability, Balance, and Flexibility in Healthy Women Between Regular Pilates Practitioners and Sedentary Individuals

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are comparing core muscle stability, postural balance, and flexibility between healthy women who practice Pilates regularly and those who lead a sedentary lifestyle. The study aims to determine if practicing Pilates for five months or more leads to significant improvements in physical performance. The research includes 55 healthy female participants divided into a Pilates group and a sedentary control group, with objective measures to ensure accurate results. The Pilates group consists of women who have practiced mat Pilates, reformer Pilates, or other equipment-based Pilates for at least six months, attending sessions twice weekly. The sedentary group includes women with less than 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week. Assessments include core muscle activation measured by a Pressure Biofeedback Unit PBU, endurance tests from the McGill battery, dynamic stability via the Y-Balance test, static balance with the Single Leg Stance Test, and flexibility measured by the Sit-and-Reach test. Participants undergo all evaluations during a single assessment session. Researchers measure deep muscle stabilization, core endurance, dynamic and static postural balance, and hamstring and lower back flexibility. Data analysis will compare these outcomes between the Pilates and sedentary groups to understand the impact of Pilates practice on physical performance.

Core Stability, Postural Balance, and Flexibility in Healthy Women: A Comparative Study Between Pilates Practitioners and Sedentary Individuals