Wunda Chair vs Mat Pilates: Balance Effects

Comparison of the Acute Effects of Wunda Chair Pilates and Mat-Based Pilates Exercises on Balance in Healthy Women

The goal of this study is to compare the acute effects of Wunda Chair Pilates and mat-based Pilates exercises on balance performance in healthy adult women. It will also examine which type of Pilates exercise provides a more immediate improvement in balance. The main questions it aims to answer are:

Do Wunda Chair Pilates exercises lead to greater improvements in balance compared to mat-based Pilates after a single session? Are there differences between the two exercise approaches in terms of static balance, dynamic balance, and functional mobility?

Researchers will compare Wunda Chair Pilates with mat-based Pilates to determine which method is more effective in enhancing acute balance performance.

Participants will:

Be randomly assigned to either a Wunda Chair Pilates group or a mat-based Pilates group Perform a single 45-minute exercise session according to their assigned group Complete balance assessments (Single Leg Stance Test, Timed Up and Go Test, and Y-Balance Test) before and immediately after the exercise session

Inclusion Criteria:

• Being a woman aged 18-45 years
• Having regularly practiced Pilates within the last 3 months
• Having sufficient cognitive ability to understand and follow the study protocol
• Having adequate physical capacity to safely perform the assessments and exercises

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of severe trauma, surgery, or fracture involving the lower extremities, spine, or pelvis within the past 6 months
• Presence of neurological disorders (e.g., vestibular disorders affecting balance, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, etc.)
• History of vestibular system disorders or vertigo
• Rheumatologic or inflammatory diseases affecting the lower extremities or spine
• Systemic diseases that may affect balance or muscle performance (e.g., uncontrolled diabetes, severe cardiovascular disease, etc.)
• Pregnancy or having given birth within the last 6 months
• Acute musculoskeletal injury causing pain or functional limitation during exercise
• Inability to complete the tests on the study day due to acute pain, fatigue, or discomfort