Cardiorespiratory Responses to a Pilates Training Session and Treadmill Walking in Healthy Adults

Comparison of Cardiorespiratory System Responses During Pilates Exercises and Walking

Low cardiorespiratory fitness is related cardiovascular and total mortality. In addition, disease risk is increased with low cardiorespiratory fitness. There is strong evidence that physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness are associated with health variables in healthy individuals. Pilates exercises, which are the subgroups of physical activity, has become popular in recent years. Current evidence suggests that Pilates training improves body composition, respiratory muscle strength, exercise performance and quality of life. In addition to these benefits, recent evidence suggests that Pilates training can improve cardiorespiratory fitness. However, there is lack of evidence on whether practicing Pilates exercises satisfy recommendations for intensity of physical activity which improves and maintains health and cardiovascular fitness.

The primary aim of this study is to evaluate the cardiorespiratory responses during a Pilates training session, by measuring cardiorespiratory fitness through oxygen consumption and energy expenditure. The secondary aim of this study is to compare the cardiorespiratory responses during Pilates training session and treadmill walking at different speeds (3.2 kmh and 4.8 kmh).

First, resting metabolic rate will be measured. Then, the participants will be randomized to one of the two possible experimental conditions: (1) Pilates training session than treadmill walking or (2) treadmill walking than Pilates training session. Pilates session will consist of warm-up exercises (e.g. breathing, arm circle, cat and camel spinal rotation etc.) and basic mat exercises (e.g. one leg stretching, double leg stretching, the hundred, saw, rolling like a ball, swimming, pelvic curl etc.). The Pilates session will be presented to the participants via recorded video. Participants will walk on treadmill at two different speeds: 3.2 kph (2 mph) and 4.8 kph (3 mph). Participants initially will walk at pace of 3.2 kph for 10 minutes. After 30-40 minutes- rest (after returning baseline values), participants will walk on at pace of 4.8 kph for 10 minutes.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Being healthy (not having any known chronic disease)
• Volunteer to participate in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pregnancy
• Previous disorder/surgery history that can alter physical performance in walking or Pilates session.