Effects of Reformer Pilates in Pregnant Women

Last updated: January 15, 2025
Sponsor: Izmir Democracy University
Overall Status: Active - Recruiting

Phase

N/A

Condition

Neck Pain

Varicose Veins

Venous Thrombosis

Treatment

Reformer pilates exercises

Clinical Study ID

NCT06777771
Reformer pilates in pregnancy
  • Ages 18-35
  • Female

Study Summary

Pregnancy is known as a period associated with important physiological and psychological changes in women's lives. There is moderately sufficient evidence in the literature to recommend supplementing prenatal physical activity for maternal health benefits. It has been reported that physical exercise by pregnant women in the absence of obstetric contraindications will not pose a risk to the health of the mother and fetus. In the literature, there are no studies examining the effects of reformer pilates on pain, functional capacity, lumbopelvic stabilization, diastasis recti abdominis, abdominal muscle thickness, respiratory functions, pelvic floor dysfunction, urinary incontinence, sexual function, and venous insufficiency in pregnant women. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of reformer pilates on pain, functional capacity, lumbopelvic stabilization, diastasis recti abdominis, abdominal muscle thickness, respiratory functions, pelvic floor dysfunction, urinary incontinence, sexual function, and venous insufficiency in pregnant women.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Single pregnancy

  • Primiparous pregnancy

  • Adult pregnant women (between 18-35 years old)

  • Pregnant women whose gestational week is 11-22 weeks

  • Pregnant women with a body mass index <30

  • Ability to read and write

Exclusion

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Multiple pregnancies

  • Having a history of abdominal surgery

  • Having one of the conditions in which exercise is contraindicated, such as heartdisease, severe lung disease, continuous bleeding in the second and thirdtrimesters, placenta previa, risk of premature birth, rupture of membranes,preeclampsia, severe anemia

  • Not volunteering to participate in the study

  • Not participating in more than 90% of the training sessions

Study Design

Total Participants: 30
Treatment Group(s): 1
Primary Treatment: Reformer pilates exercises
Phase:
Study Start date:
February 06, 2024
Estimated Completion Date:
September 30, 2025

Study Description

Pregnancy is one of the most serious periods in a woman's life and lasts approximately forty weeks. Many anatomical, physiological, and psychological changes occur in pregnant women. The main reasons for these are hormonal changes, increase in total blood volume, growth of the uterus, and postural changes due to the shift of the body's center of gravity.

Even though the etiology and pathogenesis of low back pain occurring during pregnancy have not been clearly explained, it is assumed to be multifactorial. Low back pain during pregnancy is common and affects approximately half of pregnant women. Additionally, pain may occur in the low back and sacroiliac joints due to postural changes that occur with the growth of the fetus. Low back pain and pelvic girdle pain are among the most common musculoskeletal complaints in pregnant women.

Studies conducted on pregnant women and women in the postpartum period have reported changes in the length, thickness, and separation amount of the abdominal muscles and the morphological features of the rectus abdominis muscle.

The strength and thickness of the pelvic floor muscles may decrease in pregnant women. Pregnancy and birth are major risk factors for urinary incontinence. Additionally, a relationship between pregnancy and sexual dysfunction has been reported in the literature.

To meet the needs of the fetus during pregnancy, changes occur in many organs and systems, as well as changes in the uterus. One of these is the adaptation seen in the respiratory system. Another change is the adaptation in the venous system. Pregnancy is one of the factors that increase the risk of developing venous insufficiency.

Pregnancy is known as a period associated with important physiological and psychological changes in women's lives. Pregnancy and exercise are biological processes. These cause many adaptations in the body, which may be in the same or the opposite direction. There is moderately sufficient evidence in the literature to recommend promoting prenatal physical activity for maternal health benefits.

In the literature, no study has been found investigating the effects of reformer pilates on pain, functional capacity, lumbopelvic stabilization, diastasis recti abdominis, abdominal muscle thickness, respiratory functions, pelvic floor dysfunction, urinary incontinence, sexual function, and venous insufficiency in pregnant women. For this reason, this study aimed to investigate the effects of reformer pilates on pain, functional capacity, lumbopelvic stabilization, diastasis recti abdominis, abdominal muscle thickness, respiratory functions, pelvic floor dysfunction, urinary incontinence, sexual function, and venous insufficiency in pregnant women.

Connect with a study center

  • İzmir Democracy Univercity

    İzmir, Konak 35140
    Turkey

    Active - Recruiting

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