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.
Women aged 20 to 40 years
BMI > 25kg/m2 at baseline
Medically cleared by a health professional to perform physical activity
Women 6 to 24 weeks postpartum
Women with complications during delivery (Cesarean complications, perineal tears grade 3 or 4)
Presence of chronic disorders (diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disorders, severe anemia)
Neuromusculoskeletal disorders affecting physical activity
Currently participating in another fitness program
Parallel
Pilates
Other interventionPilates 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.
Aerobic Exercise
Other interventionAerobic 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.
Weight (kilograms) - measured using a calibrated weighing scale
Measured with a calibrated digital weighing scale. Participants will be weighed barefoot, wearing light clothing, after emptying their bladder. Reliable if calibrated regularly and used under standardized conditions (same scale, same time of day, light clothing, after voiding). Test-retest reliability \> 0.97. Highly valid for measuring body weight; directly measures mass in kilogram. The scale's accuracy is typically within 0.1 kg.
Body Mass Index (BMI)
Calculated by dividing weight (kg) by the square of height (m) (BMI = weight/height²). Height will be measured once at baseline with a stadiometer. Reliable when the procedure is standardized (barefoot, standing straight, head in Frankfort plane). Intra-observer reliability \> 0.95. Valid anthropometric tool; stadiometers accurately reflect true stature when calibrated.
Waist to Hip Ratio (WHR)
Calculated by dividing Waist by Hip (WHR = Waist cm / Hip cm). Reliable if both waist and hip are measured accurately with the same procedure. WHR is a well validated indicator of body-fat distribution and health-risk; a higher WHR is strongly associated with metabolic disorders
Click on the lead sponsor to view all of their trials.
