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Effects of Pilates and Moderate-Intensity Aerobic Exercise on Postpartum Weight Loss and Body Composition

NCT07642245 · Status: RECRUITING · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 30

Last updated 2026-06-11

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

After childbirth, many women experience difficulty losing pregnancy-related weight, which can affect their health, self-esteem, and physical activity. Regular exercise, including Pilates and moderate-intensity aerobic exercises, is considered a safe and natural method to improve fitness and support weight loss during the postpartum period. This study aims to compare the effects of Pilates and aerobic exercise on body weight, Body Mass Index (BMI), and waist-to-hip ratio in postpartum women over 8 weeks. Participants will be randomly assigned to either a Pilates group or an aerobic exercise group, with both groups exercising three times weekly for 45-60 minutes. The results will then be compared to determine which exercise method is more effective.

Conditions

  • Postpartum Period

Interventions

OTHER

Pilates

Pilates Group Type of Exercise: Mat-based Pilates focusing on core stability, breathing control, flexibility, and pelvic floor strengthening. Structure: Warm-up (10 mins): Light mobility and breathing exercises; Main Session (30-40 mins): Pelvic tilts, bridging, leg stretches, roll-ups, side-lying series; Focus on posture, controlled movement, and core engagement; Cool-down (5-10 mins): Gentle stretching and relaxation. Progression: Gradual increase in intensity and complexity over 8 weeks. Supervision: Sessions led by a trained physiotherapist or certified Pilates instructor.

OTHER

Aerobic Exercise

Aerobic Exercise Group Type of Exercise: Moderate intensity aerobic training (e.g., brisk walking, cycling, or low-impact dance routines). Intensity: 50-70% of maximum heart rate (monitored using Rate of Perceived Exertion Scale 11-13 on Borg Scale). Structure: Warm-up (10 mins): Marching in place, arm circles, step touch; Main Session (30-40 mins): Rhythmic aerobic routines or treadmill walking; Cool-down (5-10 mins): Stretching major muscle groups. Supervision: Sessions conducted under the guidance of a physiotherapist or fitness instructor.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Riphah International University

    lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

  • Zainab Nadeem, MS* · Riphah International University

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
20 Years
Max Age
40 Years
Sex
FEMALE
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2025-04-02
Primary Completion
2026-09-02
Completion
2026-10-15

Countries

  • Pakistan

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT07642245 on ClinicalTrials.gov