Prenatal Pilates and Postpartum Ligamentous Laxity

Impact of a Prenatal Pilates Program Continued Until Childbirth on Postpartum Ligamentous Recovery: a Longitudinal Follow-up of a Randomized Controlled Trial

Pregnancy induces hormonal and biomechanical adaptations that increase ligamentous laxity, which may persist into the postpartum period and contribute to joint instability, pain, and functional limitations. Although prenatal Pilates has been shown to prevent the progression of ligamentous laxity during pregnancy, its effects on postpartum musculoskeletal recovery remain unclear. This longitudinal follow-up of a randomized controlled trial evaluated ligamentous recovery at 6 weeks postpartum in women who participated in a structured prenatal Pilates program continued until childbirth, compared with women receiving standard prenatal care. Postpartum ligamentous laxity, generalized joint hypermobility, and activity limitations related to pelvic girdle pain were assessed using objective and clinical measures. The study aimed to determine whether prenatal Pilates facilitates early postpartum ligamentous recovery and supports functional outcomes during the early postpartum period.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Pregnancy; Laxity of Ligament; Pilates Exercise

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 42

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Turkey (Türkiye)
  • Altındağ
    • Ankara, Altındağ, Turkey (Türkiye), 06050
      • Ankara Medipol University

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The study population consisted of postpartum women aged 18-35 years who were 6th week after delivery and who voluntarily agreed to participate in the study. Women with known cardiovascular or pulmonary diseases, and those who had participated in structured physical activity programs prior to enrollment were excluded. These criteria were applied to ensure a homogeneous sample and to minimize potential confounding factors related to pre-existing health conditions or prior exercise exposure.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Aged between 18-35 years
• In the 6th week of post-partum
• Voluntary participation in the study

Exclusion Criteria:

• Cardiovascular or pulmonary diseases
• Prior participation in structured physical activity programs

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

2

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Pilates Group; Participants in the Pilates group attended supervised 60-minute sessions twice weekly for eight weeks, led by a certified physiotherapist trained by the Australian Institute of Pilates and Physiotherapy.
Control Group; The control group received standard prenatal care and ergonomic advice, and did not participate in any exercise training.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Ligament laxity	The anterior tibial translation of the knee will be considered as representative of the anterior laxity of the knee of women measured with an arthrometer ® (bilateral examination repeated 3 times on each knee).The degree of laxity will be evaluated thanks to the international classification IKDC.	10 minutes

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Generalized joint hypermobility	Generalized joint hypermobility (GJH) was assessed using the Beighton scoring system, which consists of five bilateral and unilateral maneuvers. Each positive test scored one point, with a maximum score of 9. A score of ≥5 indicated GJH.	2 minutes
Physical activity level	Participants' physical activity was monitored using the Omron HJ-321-E pedometer (Omron Healthcare, Japan), which detects vertical oscillations and stores up to seven days of data.	7 days

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Ankara Medipol University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): November 20, 2025
• Primary Completion (Actual): January 15, 2026
• Study Completion (Actual): January 15, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: January 8, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 8, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): January 15, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): January 22, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 21, 2026
• Last Verified: January 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Musculoskeletal Diseases; Joint Diseases; Joint Instability
• Other Study ID Numbers: AnkaraMedipolU-FTR-2025-223

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