Examining the effects of different pilates exerciseprescriptions on physical fitness, quali̇ty of life andmusculoskeletal system in overweight and obese women

The aim of this study is to examine the effect of exercise frequency on physical fitness, quality of life and musculoskeletal system in overweight and obese women in a pilates exercise programme without changing the volume, intensity, duration and type of exercise. Thirty-one overweight and obese women aged 18-65 years participated in the study. Participants were randomly divided into two groups as 12-week supervised pilates exercise group (Group 1, n=16) (3 days per week) and 18-week supervised pilates exercise group (Group 2, n=15) (2 days per week). The same pilates exercise programme was applied to both groups for 36 sessions. The training was divided into three periods. The first 12-session programme consisted of pilates preparation and easy progressive exercises. The second 12-session programme consisted of intermediate level and the last 12-session programme consisted of difficult level pilates exercises. Participants were measured at baseline and at the end of the study with body mass index (BMI), waist circumference measurement, hip circumference measurement, Timed Up and Go Test, Standing on One Leg Test, 30 seconds Sit and Stand Test in Chair, 6 minutes Walking Test, International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), Cornell Musculoskeletal Disorders Questionnaire and Obesity and Weight-Loss Quality-of-Life (OWLQOL). Exercise compliance of the groups was also questioned. After pilates training, waist circumference, hip circumference, timed up and go test, standing on one leg test, 30 seconds sit and stand test in chair, walking distance, IPAQ moderate intensity physical activity and IPAQ total score improved in both groups (p<0,05). In addition, improvement was observed in BMI, one-leg stand test (right) in Group 1 and OWLQOL score in Group 2 (p<0,05). However, there was no difference between the groups (p>0,05). Exercise compliance of Group 1 and Group 2 was similar. It was observed that 12-week and 18-week supervised pilates training with the same exercise volume had a similar positive effect on dynamic balance, lower extremity muscular endurance, walking distance, waist circumference, hip circumference and physical activity level. Keywords: Exercise Prescription; Overweight and Obesity; Physical Activity; Physical Fitness; Pilates; Quality of Life