Effect of applied pilates exercises on the university students body composition and some motoric characteristics

This study was conducted to research the effect of applied 12-week Pilates exercises on the university students` body composition and some motoric characteristics. 182 students, Pilates exercise group (n = 91) and control group (n = 91), participated in this study voluntarily. Age, weight (kg), flexibility, height, back and leg strength, 30 m speed, vertical jump, 12 min Cooper test, diameter, circumference, skinfold thickness, body mass index (BMI) of all samples (experiment and control group) were respectively measured. For 12 weeks, the sample group was applied 45 minutes Pilates exercise for 3 days a week. The same tests were applied to both groups one week before and after the study. The data were analyzed in the SPSS 22.0 package program and the normality analysis was performed by determining the arithmetic mean and standard deviations of the variables. To determine the significant differences between variables which were found to have normal distribution, Independent Sample T test and One Way Variance Analysis were used. From the pre and post test diameter and circumference measurements of the control group which did not participate in the exercise program, a statistically significant difference was found only in chest diameter and chest circumference variables (p<0.05). In the exercise group, while the values were similar to control group before the study, a statistically significant difference was found only in abdominal, vertical jump, back strength, leg strength, 12 min Cooper test measurements from weight BMI, flexibility, diameter, circumference, skinfold thickness as a result of the applied exercise program. As a result and according to our results, it has been observed that Pilates exercises affected measurement results of some motoric characteristics and body composition of students who participated in the exercises regularly in a positive way. From these results, it can be said that Pilates exercises can be used to lose weight in a healthy way, to get in a fit physical appearance and to obtain strong motoric characteristics. In addition, by applying this study to different age groups (primary, secondary, high schools, elders and obese people etc.), development and change results can be compared.