Energy Cost and Metabolic Intensity of Pilates Exercises in Older Adults
Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age60+
SponsorUniversidade Estadual do Norte do Parana
About this trial
Pilates is one of the most popular forms of exercise among older adults worldwide. However, no study has measured how many calories a Pilates session burns or how hard the body works during it in people aged 60 and over. This information is important for exercise professionals who prescribe Pilates for health promotion goals such as weight management and cardiovascular fitness.
This study will measure the energy cost and metabolic intensity of two types of Pilates - mat Pilates and equipment-based Pilates - in older adults using a portable indirect calorimetry system (Cosmed K5). Results will be compared to treadmill walking at 4.8 km/h, a well-established moderate-intensity activity.
Twenty men and women aged 60 years or older with at least 6 months of continuous Pilates experience will complete three exercise sessions in a randomized order: (1) mat Pilates, (2) equipment-based Pilates, and (3) treadmill walking. Each Pilates session will consist of 9 exercises, with stretching exercises used as warm-up and cool-down and 7 strengthening exercises performed in the main portion of the session (\~50 min). Oxygen consumption, energy expenditure, heart rate, and perceived exertion will be measured throughout each session.
Eligibility criteria
This trial accepts healthy volunteersQualifiers
Age 60 years or older;
Body mass index (BMI) between 22 and 27 kg/m²;
Not currently undergoing dietary treatment or program for weight gain or loss;
No severe musculoskeletal disorders (e.g., osteoarthritis grade III or IV, moderate-to-severe pain ≥ 4 on the NRS 0-10 scale) or neurological conditions (e.g., Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis);
Disqualifiers
Chronic decompensated conditions that may pose health risks during exercise (e.g., uncontrolled hypertension, bronchitis, asthma);
Any history of cardiovascular events (e.g., coronary artery disease, stroke, heart failure, arrhythmias, valvular heart disease);
Decompensated metabolic diseases or use of medications with recognized direct impact on energy and glycemic metabolism, including antidiabetics and systemic corticosteroids;
Positive response to any item on the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q).
Trial design
Design model
Crossover
Treatments tested in this trial
Mat Pilates
BehavioralA single session of mat Pilates consisting of 9 exercises: 1 stretching exercise as warm-up, 7 strengthening exercises (\~50 min, 3 sets of 10 repetitions with 1-minute rest intervals), and 1 stretching exercise as cool-down. Exercises are performed using body weight and accessories (Swiss ball, elastic bands, foam roller, and magic circle).
Equipment-Based Pilates
BehavioralA single session of equipment-based Pilates consisting of 9 exercises: 1 stretching exercise as warm-up, 7 strengthening exercises (\~50 min, 3 sets of 10 repetitions with 1-minute rest intervals), and 1 stretching exercise as cool-down. Exercises are performed using Reformer, Cadillac, Ladder Barrel, and Step Chair.
Treadmill Walking
BehavioralA single session of treadmill walking consisting of 50 minutes at 4.8 km/h (1% incline), preceded by a 5-minute warm-up and followed by a 5-minute cool-down at 3.0 km/h.
Treatment groups
20 Participants
are divided into 3 treatment groupsGroup A: Mat PilatesExperimental treatment 1 intervention
Group B: Equipment-Based PilatesExperimental treatment 1 intervention
Group C: Treadmill WalkingActive comparator 1 intervention
Trial outcomes
Primary outcomes
1
Metabolic Intensity
Metabolic intensity will be assessed as metabolic equivalents (METs) measured by portable indirect calorimetry (Cosmed K5, breath-by-breath) during each exercise session. METs will be calculated using the older adult reference value (1 MET₆₀ = 2.7 mL/kg/min).
Time frame
At baseline (pre-session), during each 50-minute exercise session, and 30 minutes after session completion.2
Energy Expenditure
Total energy expenditure (kcal) will be measured by portable indirect calorimetry (Cosmed K5, breath-by-breath) during each exercise session.
Time frame
At baseline (pre-session), during each 50-minute exercise session, and 30 minutes after session completion.Secondary outcomes
1
Oxygen Consumption
Oxygen consumption (VO₂, mL/kg/min) will be measured by portable indirect calorimetry (Cosmed K5, breath-by-breath) during each exercise session.
Time frame
At baseline (pre-session), during each 50-minute exercise session, and 30 minutes after session completion.2
Heart Rate
Heart rate (bpm) will be continuously monitored throughout each exercise session using a Garmin wearable chest strap monitor synchronized with the Cosmed K5 system.
Time frame
At baseline (pre-session), during each 50-minute exercise session, and 30 minutes after session completion.3
Rating of Perceived Exertion
Perceived exertion will be assessed using the Borg CR-10 scale after each exercise set (Pilates sessions) or every 5 minutes (treadmill walking). Session RPE will be recorded 30 minutes after session completion.
Time frame
During each exercise session and 30 minutes after session completionSponsors and contacts
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Source ClinicalTrials.gov