Effects of reformer pilates on body composition, strength, and psychosomatic factors in overweight and obese women A randomized controlled trial

Sci Rep. 2025 Jul 2;15(1):23602. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-09683-8.

ABSTRACT

This study aims to examine the effects of Reformer Pilates exercises on body composition, strength, endurance, and psychosomatic parameters in overweight and obese women. The study is a randomized controlled study. A total of 47 overweight and obese women between the ages of 30-60, with a BMI of 25 kg/m² and above in the study. Two different groups were formed the exercise group (n:23, age: 46,70 ± 9,77 years) and the control group (n:24, age: 45,37 ± 9,63 years). Reformer Pilates exercises are given 3 times a week for 8 weeks. The upper extremity strength with a handgrip dynamometer, muscle endurance with McGill endurance test, body composition with Bioelectrical Impedance, sleep quality with Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and depression/ anxiety level with The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale were evaluated. All evaluations were assessed before and after Reformer Pilates exercise training. There was a significant difference in body composition, upper extremity strength, endurance, and depression/anxiety scale (p values respectively 0.011; 0.000; 0.000; 0.025; 0.031) in the Reformer Pilates group. There were no statistical differences between the groups in the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index value (p = 0.055). Reformer Pilates improves body composition, increases muscle strength and endurance, and reduces depression and anxiety in overweight and obese women.Trial registration: NCT05176912 (04/01/2022).

PMID:40603682 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-025-09683-8