Comparison of the effects of face-to-face and online clinical pilates exercises on physical fitness, psychosocial status and exercise belief in healthy women

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of face-to-face and online clinical pilates exercises on physical fitness, psychosocial status and exercise beliefs in healthy women and to compare these results between groups. Seventy-eight healthy women between the ages of 18 and 45 were included in the study. Participants were randomly divided into three groups: face-to-face clinical pilates group (n = 26), online clinical pilates group (n = 26) and control group (n = 26). In the evaluation of physical fitness, modified push up, anterior bridge, lateral bridge, biering sorensen, sit-up, trunk flexors endurance, sit and reach, sit-to-stand, timed up and go and 6-minute walk tests, as well as body mass index (BMI) and waist-hip ratio measurements were used. Social appearance anxiety scale (SSAS) and body image scale were used to evaluate the psychosocial status and exercise beliefs questionnaire was used to evaluate exercise beliefs. Evaluations were repeated face to face in all groups before the study and at the end of 12 weeks. In addition to verbal information, the same clinical pilates exercise program was applied to the individuals in the study groups twice a week for 12 weeks, while the control group was given only verbal information at the beginning of the study. As a result of the study, it was observed that physical fitness, psychosocial status and exercise belief improved in the face-to-face and online clinical pilates groups, while there was a decrease in physical fitness and an increase in the belief in the disadvantages of exercise in the control group (p<0.05). In comparisons between groups, face-to-face and online clinical pilates groups improved physical fitness, psychosocial status and exercise beliefs similarly compared to the control group (p<0.05). In line with these results, we think that online clinical pilates exercises performed under the supervision of a physiotherapist can be included in exercise programs as an alternative to face-to-face clinical pilates exercises in terms of the physiological and psychological benefits provided. This may be a guide when access to face to-face exercise is not appropriate. Key Words: pilates, online exercises, physical fitness, psychosocial status, exercise belief. The author was supported by TÜBİTAK Scientist Support Programs Directorate (BİDEB) during his master's degree.