Effects of Reformer Pilates on Pain, Muscle Function, Breathing, Pelvic Floor, and Venous Health in Pregnant Women

What this Trial Is About

Pregnancy involves significant physical and psychological changes in women, including hormonal shifts, increased blood volume, and postural adjustments. These changes often lead to common issues like low back pain, pelvic girdle pain, abdominal muscle alterations, pelvic floor muscle weakness, urinary incontinence, sexual dysfunction, and venous insufficiency. This research aims to explore how reformer pilates exercises impact these various conditions in pregnant women, as no prior studies have examined these effects comprehensively. Participants will engage in reformer pilates sessions twice a week for six weeks, totaling 12 sessions. Each session includes 5 minutes of warm-up, 20 minutes of resistance exercises adjusted for fatigue levels, and 5 minutes of cool-down. The exercises cover 15-20 movements targeting major muscle groups, including pelvic floor strengthening. In addition, participants are encouraged to walk at least 30 minutes a day, three days a week. Throughout the study, researchers will measure abdominal muscle thickness, respiratory function values such as forced vital capacity and peak expiratory flow, and pelvic floor dysfunction at the start and after six weeks. Other assessments include pain levels, functional capacity, lumbopelvic stabilization, diastasis recti abdominis, urinary incontinence, sexual function, and venous insufficiency. Monitoring will focus on changes from baseline to the final evaluation after six weeks of intervention.

Effects of Reformer Pilates in Pregnant Women