Evaluation of nutritional knowledge levels and quality of life of individuals performing reformer pilates and cardio exercise

This study aimed to evaluate the nutritional knowledge levels and quality of life of individuals performing reformer Pilates and cardio exercise. A quantitative correlational survey design was employed. The sample comprised a total of 150 participants, including 50 individuals exercising at a private health service unit specializing in reformer Pilates in Bayburt, 50 individuals performing cardio exercise at a private fitness center, and 50 individuals who did not engage in any regular exercise. Data were collected using a three-part questionnaire consisting of a researcher-developed demographic information form, the Nutritional Knowledge Level Scale, and the Quality of Life Scale. In addition, participants' body composition parameters were assessed using the Tanita BC-601 bioelectrical impedance analyzer, and anthropometric measurements were obtained. The data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics 26.0. The findings indicated that exercise group and gender had no effect on the Physical Health domain; however, exercise group differences were significant in the Psychological Health domain, with cardio exercisers scoring higher than non-exercisers. While the interactions between marital status and exercise group were generally non-significant, scores in the Social Relationships domain were higher among both cardio exercisers and married participants; moreover, marital status was also found to have an effect on the Environment domain. As exercise duration and the number of weekly exercise days increased, quality-of-life scores—particularly Physical Health—tended to improve; among participants exercising five or more days per week, Psychological Health and Social Relationships scores were also higher. On the Nutritional Knowledge Level Scale, cardio exercisers had higher Basic Nutrition Knowledge and Food Preference scores, and non-smokers demonstrated higher Food Preference scores. Correlational analyses revealed that Psychological Health scores decreased as fat mass increased, whereas Basic Nutrition Knowledge was negatively associated with age and positively associated with muscle mass. Dietary intake records showed between-group differences in multiple nutrients among men, with generally higher intakes among sedentary men; among women, intakes of water, biotin, fluoride, and iodine were higher particularly in the Pilates group. Keywords: Reformer pilates, cardio, nutritional knowledge, quality of life.