Effects of Pilates and Desk-Based Exercise on Office Workers

This was a three-arm, parallel-group randomized controlled trial conducted among female office workers in Elazığ, Türkiye. The study included 42 female office workers aged 24-50 years who had been employed in a desk-based office position for at least one year. Participants were randomly allocated in a 1:1:1 ratio to a desk-based exercise group, a combined desk-based exercise and Pilates group, or a control group. Each group consisted of 14 participants.

The desk-based exercise group participated in a workplace-adapted exercise program consisting of 13 exercises designed to address musculoskeletal complaints associated with office work. The combined intervention group received the same desk-based exercise program together with a Pilates-based exercise program. The Pilates program was performed on a mat using body weight as resistance and consisted of a 10-minute warm-up, a 40-minute main exercise period, and a 10-minute cool-down. Exercise difficulty was progressively increased during the 6-week intervention. Both intervention programs were delivered three days per week for 6 weeks.

Participants in the control group did not receive an exercise intervention during the study period and continued their usual daily activities and work routines.

Assessments were performed at baseline and after 6 weeks by the same physiotherapist. Pain intensity was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale, including total pain and pain in the neck, upper back, low back, and knee regions. Posture was assessed using the New York Posture Rating Scale. Core endurance was evaluated using lateral bridge, trunk flexor endurance, trunk extensor endurance, prone bridge, modified push-up, and sit-up tests. Burnout was assessed using the Maslach Burnout Inventory, and hedonic eating behavior was assessed using the Hedonic Eating Scale.

The primary purpose of the study was to determine whether combining Pilates with desk-based exercises produces greater improvements in physical and psychological outcomes than desk-based exercises alone or no exercise intervention in female office workers.

Inclusion criteria

• Female sex.
• Age between 24 and 50 years.
• Currently employed in a desk-based office position.
• At least 1 year of occupational experience in a desk-based office role.
• Having read the study procedures and provided voluntary informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

• Musculoskeletal surgery within the previous 2 months.
• Cognitive or physical inability to cooperate with study procedures.
• Pregnancy.
• History of malignancy.
• Chronic systemic or neurological disease that would preclude participation in exercise.
• Unwillingness to participate voluntarily.