Acute Effects of Reformer, Cadillac, and Chair Pilates Appa-ratuses on Cardiac Autonomic Modulation and Flexibility

This study looked at how different types of Pilates equipment affect heart function and flexibility right after exercise in sedentary middle-aged women. Pilates can be performed on several apparatuses, such as the reformer, cadillac, and chair, and each device places different demands on the body. However, it is not well known whether these differences lead to different short-term effects on the heart or on flexibility. In this study, 15 women completed three separate Pilates sessions-one on each apparatus-on different days. During every session, researchers measured heart rate variability (a way to assess how the heart responds to and recovers from exercise). Flexibility was also tested before and after each session. This information may help instructors and clinicians choose the most appropriate Pilates equipment based on individual goals.

NCT Number	NCT07308626
Lead Sponsor	Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University
Conditions	Healhty
Enrollment	15 participants
Start Date	2025-07-25
Primary Completion	2025-09-25 (estimated)
Study Completion	2025-10-25 (estimated)
Updated on ClinicalTrials.gov	2026-01-16