The Role of Focus Strategies on Pilates

The Role of Focus Strategies on Pilates Performance and Reaction Time: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Aims of the randomized controlled study is compare to the effects of external and internal focus strategies, commonly used in Pilates, on participants' reaction time and performance metrics. Conducted over an 8-week Pilates program at Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University, we plan to include 25 participants in each focus group. Participants in the external focus group will use equipment to perform exercises, while the internal focus group will perform exercises with attention to body positioning.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Reaction Time; Exercise Therapy; Humans; Exercise Movement Techniques; Pilates
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Internal Focused Pilates; Other: External Focused Pilates

Detailed Description

The primary aim of this study is to examine the difference in effects between 8-week internally and externally focused Pilates exercises on the performance of young sedentary individuals. A secondary aim is to investigate the effects of internally and externally focused Pilates exercises on the physical characteristics and reaction time of young sedentary individuals.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 50
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Turkey (Türkiye)
  • Alanya
    • Antalya, Alanya, Turkey (Türkiye), 07450
      • Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Volunteers aged between 18 and 30 years who have no musculoskeletal disabilities and are willing to exercise were included in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Had any cardiovascular or musculoskeletal condition that would prevent them from exercising,
• Had an acute pain history of 5 or more on the visual analog scale in the past week,
• Had a systemic disease that would prevent exercise,
• Had a BMI of 30 or above,
• Had any issues that would hinder their ability to perceive or understand verbal commands, or had hearing problems.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Single

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: External Focused Pilates; Pilates training was implemented with an external focus (EF).	Other: Internal Focused Pilates; Pilates training was implemented with an internal focus (IF).; Other: External Focused Pilates; Pilates training was implemented with an external focus (EF).
Experimental: Internal Focused Pilates; Pilates training was implemented with an internal focus (IF).	Other: Internal Focused Pilates; Pilates training was implemented with an internal focus (IF).; Other: External Focused Pilates; Pilates training was implemented with an external focus (EF).

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Multiple Jump Test	15-Second Continuous Jump Test	Baseline - right after the intervention
BFS Vertical Jump Test	The Vertical Jump Test is a practical test that provides information about an individual's anaerobic power level.	Baseline - right after the intervention
Squat Jump Test	The explosive strength characteristic demonstrated by the leg muscles is measured based on their maximal force.	Baseline - right after the intervention
Acoustic Reaction Test	This test measures the time between a visual/auditory stimulus and the athlete's response movement.	Baseline - right after the intervention

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): October 5, 2024
• Primary Completion (Actual): April 15, 2025
• Study Completion (Actual): May 30, 2025

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: November 9, 2024
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 9, 2024
• First Posted (Actual): November 12, 2024

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): December 24, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: December 18, 2025
• Last Verified: December 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Other Study ID Numbers: 09.11.2024

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