Effect of six weeks of pilates exercises on body composition and advanced glycation end products in women aged 18-24 years

This research was conducted to determine the effects of 6 weeks of Pilates exercises on body composition and advanced glycation end-products (AGEs). The study group consisted of 60 volunteer female students between the ages of 18-24. Before starting the Pilates exercise, the participants' anthropometric measurements were taken with a digital body analysis scale and age, height, weight, body mass index, body fat percentage, muscle mass, resting metabolic rate, and visceral fat values were recorded. AGE values were measured with a skin measuring device. Pre-tests were administered to two groups, the exercise group and the control group, which received 6 weeks of Pilates exercise, and post-tests were administered six weeks later. When the pre-test-post-test research results were examined, it was seen that the 6-week Pilates exercise program created significant changes in body composition in women between the ages of 18-24, while there was no significant difference in AGE end-products. However, a change was detected only in the right AGE value over time in the relationship between AGEs. This suggests that Pilates may play a positive role in metabolic processes. In conclusion; Pilates exercises, even in a short period of time, have shown significant changes in participants' parameters. Therefore, Pilates can be considered an exercise method that supports a healthy lifestyle and reduces metabolic health risks in young adult women.