Effects of Diaphragmatic Breathing During Equipment-Based Pilates in Women

June 11, 2026 updated by: Nava Mokhtari, Istanbul Aydın University

The Effects of Diaphragmatic Breathing Exercises on Core Stabilization Muscle Strength, Peak Expiratory Flow, and Chest Expansion in Women Performing Equipment-Based Pilates: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This randomized controlled study aims to investigate the effects of diaphragmatic breathing exercises on core stabilization muscle strength, peak expiratory flow (PEF), and chest expansion in women performing equipment-based Pilates.

A total of 44 healthy women aged 20 to 50 years who regularly participate in equipment-based Pilates exercises will be recruited and randomly assigned to one of two groups. The intervention group will receive equipment-based Pilates training combined with diaphragmatic breathing exercises, while the control group will receive equipment-based Pilates training only.

Both groups will participate in supervised exercise sessions twice weekly for 8 weeks. Core stabilization muscle strength, peak expiratory flow, and chest expansion measurements will be assessed before and after the intervention period.

The findings of this study may contribute to a better understanding of the additional effects of diaphragmatic breathing exercises on respiratory function and core stabilization in women performing Pilates.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Not yet recruiting

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

Pilates is a popular exercise approach that is widely used in both healthy individuals and various clinical populations to improve flexibility, muscular strength, postural control, and core stability. One of the fundamental principles of Pilates is coordinated breathing during movement. Appropriate breathing patterns may enhance trunk stabilization and optimize exercise performance.

The diaphragm is the primary muscle of respiration and also plays an important role in core stabilization through its interaction with the abdominal muscles, pelvic floor muscles, and deep spinal stabilizers. Diaphragmatic breathing exercises have been shown to improve respiratory function, chest mobility, and trunk muscle activation. However, limited evidence exists regarding the additional effects of diaphragmatic breathing exercises in women who regularly perform equipment-based Pilates exercises.

The aim of this randomized controlled study is to investigate the effects of diaphragmatic breathing exercises on core stabilization muscle strength, peak expiratory flow (PEF), and chest expansion in women performing equipment-based Pilates.

Healthy women aged 20 to 50 years who regularly participate in equipment-based Pilates exercises will be recruited. Participants who meet the eligibility criteria and provide written informed consent will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. The intervention group will receive equipment-based Pilates exercises combined with diaphragmatic breathing exercises, whereas the control group will receive equipment-based Pilates exercises only.

Both groups will participate in supervised exercise sessions twice weekly for a total of 8 weeks. Outcome assessments will be performed before and after the intervention period. Core stabilization muscle strength will be evaluated using a pressure biofeedback unit. Peak expiratory flow will be assessed using a peak flow meter, and chest expansion will be measured at different thoracic levels using a tape measure.

The primary outcome of the study is core stabilization muscle strength. Secondary outcomes include peak expiratory flow and chest expansion measurements. The findings of this study are expected to contribute to the understanding of the role of diaphragmatic breathing exercises in improving respiratory function and core stabilization in women performing equipment-based Pilates and may provide evidence for the development of more effective exercise programs.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
44

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Contact Backup

Study Locations

  • Turkey (Türkiye)
    • Istanbul
      • Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)
        • Yeşim Dokuzluoğlu Private Pilates Studio

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

Female participants aged 20-50 years. Healthy individuals regularly performing equipment-based Pilates exercises. Willingness to participate voluntarily and provide informed consent. Ability to attend Pilates sessions twice weekly for 8 weeks.

Exclusion Criteria:

History of spinal trauma or surgery within the previous 6 months. Pregnancy. Diabetes mellitus or other systemic diseases. Respiratory or musculoskeletal disorders that may affect participation or outcome measurements.

Cognitive or physical limitations preventing compliance with the study protocol.

Failure to attend scheduled sessions or complete the intervention protocol. Development of pain, injury, or any medical condition requiring discontinuation during the study.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Other
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: Pilates + Diaphragmatic Breathing
Participants received equipment-based Pilates training combined with diaphragmatic breathing exercises twice weekly for 8 weeks. Each session lasted approximately 50 minutes and was supervised by the same physiotherapist.
Behavioral: Diaphragmatic Breathing Exercise
Participants performed diaphragmatic breathing exercises twice weekly for 8 weeks under the supervision of a physiotherapist. The breathing exercises focused on diaphragmatic activation and controlled breathing patterns and were integrated into the Pilates training sessions.
Behavioral: Equipment-Based Pilates Training
Participants received equipment-based Pilates training twice weekly for 8 weeks. Each session lasted approximately 50 minutes and was supervised by the same physiotherapist. The program focused on core stabilization, posture, flexibility, and muscle strengthening.
Active Comparator: Pilates Only
Participants received equipment-based Pilates training twice weekly for 8 weeks.
Behavioral: Equipment-Based Pilates Training
Participants received equipment-based Pilates training twice weekly for 8 weeks. Each session lasted approximately 50 minutes and was supervised by the same physiotherapist. The program focused on core stabilization, posture, flexibility, and muscle strengthening.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Core Stabilization Muscle Strength
Time Frame: Baseline and 8 weeks
Core stabilization muscle strength assessed using a Pressure Biofeedback Unit (PBU).
Baseline and 8 weeks
Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF)
Time Frame: Baseline and 8 weeks
Peak expiratory flow measured using a peak flow meter and recorded in liters per minute (L/min).
Baseline and 8 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Chest Expansion
Time Frame: Baseline and 8 weeks
Chest expansion measured at the axillary, xiphoid, and subcostal levels using a flexible measuring tape.
Baseline and 8 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Istanbul Aydın University

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Principal Investigator: Gözde Başbuğ, PhD, PT, Istanbul Aydın University

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Estimated)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
June 15, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
August 10, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
August 15, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
June 11, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
June 11, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
June 17, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
June 17, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
June 11, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
June 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • İAU-FTR-NM-01

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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