RecruitingNot Applicable

Energy Cost and Metabolic Intensity of Pilates Exercises in Older Adults

Brazil20 participantsStarted 2026-06

Plain-language summary

Pilates is one of the most popular forms of exercise among older adults worldwide. However, no study has measured how many calories a Pilates session burns or how hard the body works during it in people aged 60 and over. This information is important for exercise professionals who prescribe Pilates for health promotion goals such as weight management and cardiovascular fitness. This study will measure the energy cost and metabolic intensity of two types of Pilates - mat Pilates and equipment-based Pilates - in older adults using a portable indirect calorimetry system (Cosmed K5). Results will be compared to treadmill walking at 4.8 km/h, a well-established moderate-intensity activity. Twenty men and women aged 60 years or older with at least 6 months of continuous Pilates experience will complete three exercise sessions in a randomized order: (1) mat Pilates, (2) equipment-based Pilates, and (3) treadmill walking. Each Pilates session will consist of 9 exercises, with stretching exercises used as warm-up and cool-down and 7 strengthening exercises performed in the main portion of the session (\~50 min). Oxygen consumption, energy expenditure, heart rate, and perceived exertion will be measured throughout each session.

Who can participate

Age range

60 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Age 60 years or older; * Body mass index (BMI) between 22 and 27 kg/m²; * Not currently undergoing dietary treatment or program for weight gain or loss; * No severe musculoskeletal disorders (e.g., osteoarthritis grade III or IV, moderate-to-severe pain ≥ 4 on the NRS 0-10 scale) or neurological conditions (e.g., Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis); * Continuously practicing Pilates for at least 6 months prior to enrollment, with a minimum frequency of twice per week. Exclusion Criteria: * Chronic decompensated conditions that may pose health risks during exercise (e.g., uncontrolled hypertension, bronchitis, asthma); * Any history of cardiovascular events (e.g., coronary artery disease, stroke, heart failure, arrhythmias, valvular heart disease); * Decompensated metabolic diseases or use of medications with recognized direct impact on energy and glycemic metabolism, including antidiabetics and systemic corticosteroids; * Positive response to any item on the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q).

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Metabolic Intensity

Timeframe: At baseline (pre-session), during each 50-minute exercise session, and 30 minutes after session completion.

Energy Expenditure

Timeframe: At baseline (pre-session), during each 50-minute exercise session, and 30 minutes after session completion.

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07621523

SponsorUniversidade Estadual do Norte do Parana

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2026-12

Contact for this trial

Raphael G de Oliveira, PhD

+55 (43) 3511-2628 rgoliveira@uenp.edu.br

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