Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT01841385

Effects of Pilates on Respiratory Mechanics

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of a fitness program from the application of Pilates on lung function, thoracoabdominal mobility and respiratory muscle strength in women.

Completed

Looking for future studies?

Notify Me

Key information

Conditions

Exercise Behavior Motor Activity

Age range

25 year–55 year

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Universidade Metodista de Piracicaba (UNIMEP)

Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil

About this study

Study in the Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy laboratory and clinics of Pilates in the region, in which the voluntary of the Pilates group would start the Pilates method.

The study included women with body mass index (BMI) ≤ 29 kg/m2 were not engaged in regular physical activity, or sedentary lifestyle with scores up to eight, according to Baecke et al., non-smoker, non-alcoholic, without any abnormalities of the cardiovascular, respiratory and neuromuscular.

The study excluded women with disabling diseases, pregnancy, postpartum less than a year, inability to understand the tests and exercises proposed or refuse to participate in the study.

The volunteers, aged between 25 and 55 years, were allocated in to two groups:

  • Pilates Group (n = 16): sedentary volunteers, but that would begin activities with the Pilates method and evaluated three months.
  • Control group (n = 13): sedentary volunteers and remain sedentary and evaluated in three months.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • body mass index (BMI) ≤ 29 kg/m2
  • not physically active on a regular basis, ie, sedentary lifestyle with scores up to eight, according to Baecke et al.
  • nonsmokers
  • non-alcoholic
  • without any abnormalities in the cardiovascular, respiratory or neuromuscular

Exclusion criteria

  • disabling diseases
  • gestation
  • puerperium there is less than a year
  • inability to understand the tests and exercises proposed

Treatment and study plan

Pilates method

Other

Therapeutic intervention in the Pilates method has two regular weekly sessions for 12 weeks, totaling 24 sessions. For the protocol of Pilates exercises, exercises on soil and equipment, with gradual progression of the load.

Primary outcomes

  1. Pulmonary function

    Time frame: Three months

    Spirometry was carried out according to the guidelines of the American Thoracic Society (ATS) and European Respiratory Society (ERS) (2005). Three types of maneuver were used in order to evaluate the lung volumes and flows: Slow Vital Capacity (SVC), Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) and Maximum Voluntary Ventilation (MVV). The maneuvers were carried out until three acceptable and reproducible curves were obtained, not exceeding more than eight attempts. The values extracted from each maneuver were selected according to Pereira (2002), and the predicted values calculated using the equation proposed by Pereira et al. (1992) for Brazilians.

  2. Thoracoabdominal mobility

    Time frame: Three months

    The measurement of thoracoabdominal mobility was performed by using a tape scaled in centimeters. In the standing position, the measurements were made at levels axillary, xiphoid and abdominal, during rest, and at maximal inspiration and maximal expiration. At each level, the measurements were performed three times. It computed the highest value of inspiration and the lowest of expiration. The absolute difference between these values was considered the thoracoabdominal mobility.

  3. Respiratory muscle strength

    Time frame: Three months

    Respiratory muscle strength was assessed by measuring maximal respiratory pressures (MRP) with the use of an analog manometer, with operating range of ± 300 cmH2O.

    The maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) was measured from a maximal expiration, near the residual volume. The maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) was measured from a maximal inspiration, near total lung capacity. Each inspiratory or expiratory effort was sustained for at least two seconds and was respected the 45 seconds between each maneuver.

    To minimize the learning effect five measurements were performed and the difference between them should be as high as 10%. Was considered for analysis the highest value obtained.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Universidade Metodista de Piracicaba

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Influence of Application of the Pilates Method on Pulmonary Function, Thoracic Mobility and Respiratory Muscle Strength

Important dates

Study start
2011
Primary completion
2012
Study completion
2012
First posted
Apr 26, 2013
Registry last updated
Apr 29, 2013

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Related clinical trials

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.