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Recruiting NCT07642245

Effects of Pilates and Moderate-Intensity Aerobic Exercise on Postpartum Weight Loss and Body Composition

No phase Interventional Postpartum Period

For patients and families

In plain language

An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.

What is being studied
The protocol lists: Pilates, Aerobic Exercise.
Who it may be relevant to
Registry conditions: Postpartum Period. Basic parameters: 20 years — 40 years · Female.
What needs checking
Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
Where it takes place
Pakistan
Next step
Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →

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Official title

Effects of Pilates Versus Moderate Intensity Aerobic Exercises on Weight Loss, Body Mass Index and Waist to Hip Ratio in Postpartum Period.

Overview

After childbirth, many women experience difficulty losing pregnancy-related weight, which can affect their health, self-esteem, and physical activity. Regular exercise, including Pilates and moderate-intensity aerobic exercises, is considered a safe and natural method to improve fitness and support weight loss during the postpartum period. This study aims to compare the effects of Pilates and aerobic exercise on body weight, Body Mass Index (BMI), and waist-to-hip ratio in postpartum women over 8 weeks. Participants will be randomly assigned to either a Pilates group or an aerobic exercise group, with both groups exercising three times weekly for 45-60 minutes. The results will then be compared to determine which exercise method is more effective.

Detailed description

After childbirth, many women find it hard to lose the extra weight they gained during pregnancy. This weight can affect their health, self-esteem, and ability to stay active. Regular exercise is a safe and natural way to help lose weight and improve fitness during the postpartum period. Two popular forms of exercise are Pilates and moderate-intensity aerobic exercises (like brisk walking or cycling).

This study aims to find out which type of exercise-Pilates or aerobic exercise- is more helpful for postpartum women in reducing body weight, Body Mass Index (BMI), and waist-to-hip ratio over a period of 8 weeks. To do this, women will be randomly divided into two groups. One group will do Pilates exercises, and the other group will do aerobic exercises. Both groups will exercise three times a week for about 45-60 minutes each session. At the end of 8 weeks, the results will be compared to see which type of exercise is more effective.

Interventions

  • Other Pilates
    Pilates Group Type of Exercise: Mat-based Pilates focusing on core stability, breathing control, flexibility, and pelvic floor strengthening. Structure: Warm-up (10 mins): Light mobility and breathing exercises; Main Session (30-40 mins): Pelvic tilts, bridging, leg stretches, roll-ups, side-lying series; Focus on posture, controlled movement, and core engagement; Cool-down (5-10 mins): Gentle stretching and relaxation. Progression: Gradual increase in intensity and complexity over 8 weeks. Supe
  • Other Aerobic Exercise
    Aerobic Exercise Group Type of Exercise: Moderate intensity aerobic training (e.g., brisk walking, cycling, or low-impact dance routines). Intensity: 50-70% of maximum heart rate (monitored using Rate of Perceived Exertion Scale 11-13 on Borg Scale). Structure: Warm-up (10 mins): Marching in place, arm circles, step touch; Main Session (30-40 mins): Rhythmic aerobic routines or treadmill walking; Cool-down (5-10 mins): Stretching major muscle groups. Supervision: Sessions conducted under the gui

Primary outcome measures

  • Weight (kilograms) - measured using a calibrated weighing scale [Time frame: 8 weeks]
  • Body Mass Index (BMI) [Time frame: 8 weeks]
  • Waist to Hip Ratio (WHR) [Time frame: 8 weeks]

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion criteria

  • Women aged 20 to 40 years
  • BMI > 25kg/m2 at baseline
  • Medically cleared by a health professional to perform physical activity
  • Women 6 to 24 weeks postpartum

Exclusion criteria

  • Women with complications during delivery (Cesarean complications, perineal tears grade 3 or 4)
  • Presence of chronic disorders (diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disorders, severe anemia)
  • Neuromusculoskeletal disorders affecting physical activity
  • Currently participating in another fitness program
  • Postpartum depression or other psychological disorders that may affect adherence

Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.

Healthy volunteers: No

Study design

Allocation
Randomized
Model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Single blind
Primary purpose
Treatment

Study locations

Pakistan · 1 center
  • Ghurki Teaching Hospital — Lahore

Publications

  • Seitz D, Hintze A. [Myelomalacia following vertebral angiography with a femoral catheter (author's transl)]. Rofo. 1976 Jul;125(1):59-62. doi: 10.1055/s-0029-1230418. German. PMID 133946
  • Goldstein J. Biologic and clinical considerations of hepatitis B infection. J Endod. 1979 Feb;5(2):56-9. doi: 10.1016/S0099-2399(79)80108-9. No abstract available. PMID 296244
  • Drake AF, Dufton MJ, Hider RC. The flexible nature of a critical peptide region common to all Elapidae "short" neurotoxins. FEBS Lett. 1977 Nov 15;83(2):202-6. doi: 10.1016/0014-5793(77)81005-3. No abstract available. PMID 590500

Identifiers

NCT: NCT07642245 · REC/RCR & AHS/25/0527

Primary sources (government registries)

View this study on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗