Effects of reformer pilates on body composition, strength, and psychosomatic factors in overweight and obese women A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

This study aims to examine the effects of Reformer Pilates exercises on body composition, strength, endurance, and psychosomatic parameters in overweight and obese women. The study is a randomized controlled study. A total of 47 overweight and obese women between the ages of 30-60, with a BMI of 25 kg/m(2) and above in the study. Two different groups were formed the exercise group (n:23, age: 46,70 +/- 9,77 years) and the control group (n:24, age: 45,37 +/- 9,63 years). Reformer Pilates exercises are given 3 times a week for 8 weeks. The upper extremity strength with a handgrip dynamometer, muscle endurance with McGill endurance test, body composition with Bioelectrical Impedance, sleep quality with Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and depression/ anxiety level with The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale were evaluated. All evaluations were assessed before and after Reformer Pilates exercise training. There was a significant difference in body composition, upper extremity strength, endurance, and depression/anxiety scale (p values respectively 0.011; 0.000; 0.000; 0.025; 0.031) in the Reformer Pilates group. There were no statistical differences between the groups in the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index value (p = 0.055). Reformer Pilates improves body composition, increases muscle strength and endurance, and reduces depression and anxiety in overweight and obese women.Trial registration: NCT05176912 (04/01/2022).