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Acute Effects of Reformer, Cadillac, and Chair Pilates Appa-ratuses on Cardiac Autonomic Modulation and Flexibility

NCT ID: NCT07308626

Last Updated: 2025-12-29

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

15 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2025-07-25

Study Completion Date

2025-10-25

Brief Summary

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This study looked at how different types of Pilates equipment affect heart function and flexibility right after exercise in sedentary middle-aged women. Pilates can be performed on several apparatuses, such as the reformer, cadillac, and chair, and each device places different demands on the body. However, it is not well known whether these differences lead to different short-term effects on the heart or on flexibility.

In this study, 15 women completed three separate Pilates sessions-one on each apparatus-on different days. During every session, researchers measured heart rate variability (a way to assess how the heart responds to and recovers from exercise). Flexibility was also tested before and after each session.

This information may help instructors and clinicians choose the most appropriate Pilates equipment based on individual goals.

Detailed Description

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Pilates is widely used to improve strength, posture, and flexibility, and it may also influence how the heart responds to exercise. Many Pilates programs use equipment such as the reformer, cadillac, and chair, which provide adjustable spring resistance and allow movement in different body positions. Although these apparatuses are commonly used in fitness and rehabilitation settings, little is known about whether they create different short-term effects on cardiovascular function or flexibility, especially in people who are sedentary.

This study designed to compare the immediate effects of three Pilates apparatuses-reformer, cadillac, and chair-on heart rate variability (a marker of cardiac autonomic activity) and flexibility in sedentary middle-aged women. Understanding these effects may help practitioners choose equipment that best supports specific goals, such as improving cardiovascular recovery or increasing muscle flexibility.

Each participant will complete one exercise session on each apparatus in a randomized order. Heart rate variability will be measured before exercise, during exercise, and throughout a short recovery period to observe how the body responded and returned to a resting state. Flexibility will be assessed before and after each session to determine the immediate physical benefit of the different apparatus types.

This study may help clarify whether specific Pilates equipment provides unique physiological advantages. Such information may support more targeted exercise prescriptions for individuals who are beginning Pilates, those with limited fitness experience, or those seeking improvements in flexibility or cardiovascular regulation.

Conditions

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Pilates Exercise Healhty Exercise Response

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

CROSSOVER

This study uses a randomized, counterbalanced crossover design in which all participants complete three separate Pilates exercise sessions performed on different apparatuses (reformer, cadillac, and chair). Each participant experiences all interventions in a rotating order to minimize sequence effects. The crossover model allows each participant to serve as her own control, improving the ability to detect differences in acute physiological responses between apparatus types
Primary Study Purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

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Reformer Pilates Session

Participants complete a single 50-minute Pilates session on a reformer apparatus using standardized beginner-level exercises. All movements are performed under instructor supervision. This arm is part of a randomized crossover design in which all participants complete all three apparatus conditions.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Reformer-based Pilates

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

A supervised 50-minute Pilates exercise session performed on the reformer apparatus. Participants complete standardized beginner-level movements using spring resistance. The session emphasizes controlled full-body movement and postural stability.

Cadillac Pilates Session

Participants complete a single 50-minute Pilates session on a cadillac apparatus using standardized beginner-level exercises. This arm is one condition within the randomized crossover design, and all participants perform this and the other apparatus sessions.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Cadillac-based Pilates

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

A supervised 50-minute Pilates session using the cadillac apparatus. Participants perform beginner-level exercises incorporating bars and spring systems to support controlled movement patterns targeting the upper and lower body.

Chair Pilates Session

Participants complete a single 50-minute Pilates session on a Pilates chair apparatus using standardized beginner-level exercises. All participants complete this arm as part of the crossover structure.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Chair Pilates Session

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

A supervised 50-minute Pilates session performed on a Pilates chair apparatus. Participants complete a series of standardized beginner-level exercises using spring resistance to train core control, lower-limb strength, and stability.

Interventions

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Reformer-based Pilates

A supervised 50-minute Pilates exercise session performed on the reformer apparatus. Participants complete standardized beginner-level movements using spring resistance. The session emphasizes controlled full-body movement and postural stability.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Cadillac-based Pilates

A supervised 50-minute Pilates session using the cadillac apparatus. Participants perform beginner-level exercises incorporating bars and spring systems to support controlled movement patterns targeting the upper and lower body.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Chair Pilates Session

A supervised 50-minute Pilates session performed on a Pilates chair apparatus. Participants complete a series of standardized beginner-level exercises using spring resistance to train core control, lower-limb strength, and stability.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Female
* Age 40 to 60 years
* Sedentary (not engaged in regular physical activity)
* No prior experience with Pilates apparatus-based exercise
* Able to provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria

* Known metabolic or cardiovascular disease
* Regular use of medications that influence heart rate or autonomic function
* Current smoker
* Musculoskeletal injuries or limitations that prevent safe participation in exercise
* Any condition that, in the opinion of the investigators, would interfere with study participation or data collection
Minimum Eligible Age

40 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

60 Years

Eligible Sex

FEMALE

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

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Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Monira Aldhahi

Associate Prof

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

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Bursa Uludag University

Bursa, , Turkey (Türkiye)

Site Status

Countries

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Turkey (Türkiye)

Other Identifiers

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PNU-8

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id