Low- Load- High- Repetitions Training Versus Pilates on Physical Fitness in Inactive Women

NCT ID: NCT04360499

Last Updated: 2021-10-06

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 60 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2018-01-10
• Study Completion Date: 2021-09-10

Brief Summary

Low-weight-high-repetitions (LWHR) programs constitute a popular group-based form of exercise for the general population, accompanied by various health benefits for the participants. However, the effect of such programs on cardiorespiratory fitness is still controversial. The aim of the current study was to examine the effects of a 3-month LWHR group exercise program vs pilates on cardiorespiratory fitness, body composition and overall health on previously inactive adult women.

Detailed Description

This is a randomized exercise intervention study in healthy subjects (adult women-inactive). Participants will be randomly allocated in two groups: the LLHR group and the Pilates group. All assessments will be blinded to the intervention group of the participants. Both exercise programs will be performed in groups lasting for three months and performed 3 times per week. The study conformed to the principles enumerated in the Helsinki Declaration and ethical approval has been obtained by the national ethical committee.

Participants in the LLHR training will participate in a three-month, group based pre-choreographed exercise programme, consisting of three LLHR training sessions per week (in non-consecutive days). All participants will be familiar with the exercises that will be used in this intervention. Each LLHR fitness program, includes a variety of multifunction exercises (i.e. squats, lunges, chest press and chest extension, rowing, triceps extension and bicep curls) addressing all muscle groups; using barbells, dumbbells or body weight. Each session will last for 60 min (including 5 min warm up and 5 min cooldown). Exercise intensity will increase progressively once a month by adding weights to the barbells and dumbbells.

Participants in the Pilates program will be trained with the same exercise schedule for the 3-month period. Their 60 min session, will be consisted of warm-up and cool down (5 minutes each), along with static-isometric exercises addressing major muscle groups. Pilates exercises focus on breathing, concentration, control and precision. Exercise intensity progression in the Pilates program will be performed every one month by increasing the level of demanding of the exercises.

All training sessions of both the LLHR and Pilates programs will be supervised by a qualified sports scientist (one sport scientist responsible for each program) for securing training standardization. Participants in both programs will be advised to avoid taking part in any other exercise session during the intervention period.

Conditions

Sedentary Behavior

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: PREVENTION
• Blinding Strategy: DOUBLE

Study Groups

Low-weight-high-repetitions training

Low-weight-high-repetitions (LWHR) refer to a specific form of resistance exercise which utilizes low weights and very high repetitions. Participants will be exercised 3 times per week for 3 months in small groups.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Low- weight-high-repetitions training

Intervention Type: OTHER

LWHR refers to a specific form of resistance exercise which utilizes low weights and very high repetitions

Pilates Training

Pilates exercises focused on breathing, concentration, control and precision. Participants will be exercised 3 times per week for 3 months in small groups

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Pilates training

Intervention Type: OTHER

Pilates style exercise training

Interventions

Low- weight-high-repetitions training

LWHR refers to a specific form of resistance exercise which utilizes low weights and very high repetitions

Intervention Type: OTHER

Pilates training

Pilates style exercise training

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Female, inactive, able to participate in an exercise training

Exclusion Criteria

• male gender, inability to perform the exercise training program due to musculoskeletal injury, a medication that could affect cardio-metabolic function, including anti-hypertensive, diabetic or anti-obesity drugs and inability to systematically participate in the proposed training programs according to the schedule (i.e. absence from 3 consecutive exercise sessions or missed more than 10% of total exercise sessions), psychiatric disorders.

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 55 Years
• Eligible Sex: FEMALE
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

University of Nicosia

OTHER

Sponsor Role: collaborator

University of Thessaly

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Giorgos K. Sakkas

Professor

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Chistoforos Giannaki, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

University of Nicosia

Locations

U-Fit

Nicosia, , Cyprus

Countries

Cyprus

References

Evangelou C, Sakkas GK, Hadjicharalambous M, Aphamis G, Petrou P, Giannaki CD. The effect of a three month, low-load- high-repetitions group-based exercise program versus pilates on physical fitness and body composition in inactive women. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2021 Apr;26:18-23. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2020.08.017. Epub 2020 Sep 4.

Reference Type: BACKGROUND

PMID: 33992241 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

EEBK/EΠ/2015/34

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id