Effects of Pilates and Moderate-Intensity Aerobic Exercise on Postpartum Weight Loss and Body Composition

Effects of Pilates Versus Moderate Intensity Aerobic Exercises on Weight Loss, Body Mass Index and Waist to Hip Ratio in Postpartum Period.

After childbirth, many women experience difficulty losing pregnancy-related weight, which can affect their health, self-esteem, and physical activity. Regular exercise, including Pilates and moderate-intensity aerobic exercises, is considered a safe and natural method to improve fitness and support weight loss during the postpartum period. This study aims to compare the effects of Pilates and aerobic exercise on body weight, Body Mass Index (BMI), and waist-to-hip ratio in postpartum women over 8 weeks. Participants will be randomly assigned to either a Pilates group or an aerobic exercise group, with both groups exercising three times weekly for 45-60 minutes. The results will then be compared to determine which exercise method is more effective.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Postpartum Period
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Pilates; Other: Aerobic Exercise

Detailed Description

After childbirth, many women find it hard to lose the extra weight they gained during pregnancy. This weight can affect their health, self-esteem, and ability to stay active. Regular exercise is a safe and natural way to help lose weight and improve fitness during the postpartum period. Two popular forms of exercise are Pilates and moderate-intensity aerobic exercises (like brisk walking or cycling).

This study aims to find out which type of exercise-Pilates or aerobic exercise- is more helpful for postpartum women in reducing body weight, Body Mass Index (BMI), and waist-to-hip ratio over a period of 8 weeks. To do this, women will be randomly divided into two groups. One group will do Pilates exercises, and the other group will do aerobic exercises. Both groups will exercise three times a week for about 45-60 minutes each session. At the end of 8 weeks, the results will be compared to see which type of exercise is more effective.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 30
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Imran Amjad, PHD*; Phone Number: 03324390125; Email: imran.amjad@riphah.edu.pk
• Study Contact Backup: Name: Imran Amjad, PHD*; Phone Number: 0515481826; Email: imran.amjad@riphah.edu.pk

Study Locations

• Pakistan
  • Punjab Province
    • Lahore, Punjab Province, Pakistan, 54000
      • Recruiting
      • Ghurki Teaching Hospital
      • Contact: Ghulam Fatima, PhD*; Phone Number: 03034073057; Email: ghulam.fatima@riphah.edu.pk

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

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

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Women aged 20 to 40 years
• BMI > 25kg/m2 at baseline
• Medically cleared by a health professional to perform physical activity
• Women 6 to 24 weeks postpartum

Exclusion Criteria:

• Women with complications during delivery (Cesarean complications, perineal tears grade 3 or 4)
• Presence of chronic disorders (diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disorders, severe anemia)
• Neuromusculoskeletal disorders affecting physical activity
• Currently participating in another fitness program
• Postpartum depression or other psychological disorders that may affect adherence

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

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

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Group A - Pilates Group; Type of Exercise: Mat-based Pilates focusing on core stability, breathing control, flexibility, and pelvic floor strengthening	Other: Pilates; Pilates Group Type of Exercise: Mat-based Pilates focusing on core stability, breathing control, flexibility, and pelvic floor strengthening. Structure: Warm-up (10 mins): Light mobility and breathing exercises; Main Session (30-40 mins): Pelvic tilts, bridging, leg stretches, roll-ups, side-lying series; Focus on posture, controlled movement, and core engagement; Cool-down (5-10 mins): Gentle stretching and relaxation. Progression: Gradual increase in intensity and complexity over 8 weeks. Supervision: Sessions led by a trained physiotherapist or certified Pilates instructor.
Active Comparator: Group B - Aerobic Exercise Group; Moderate intensity aerobic training (e.g., brisk walking, cycling, or low-impact dance routines) Intensity: 50-70% of maximum heart rate (monitored using Rate of Perceived Exertion Scale 11-13 on Borg Scale)	Other: Aerobic Exercise; Aerobic Exercise Group Type of Exercise: Moderate intensity aerobic training (e.g., brisk walking, cycling, or low-impact dance routines). Intensity: 50-70% of maximum heart rate (monitored using Rate of Perceived Exertion Scale 11-13 on Borg Scale). Structure: Warm-up (10 mins): Marching in place, arm circles, step touch; Main Session (30-40 mins): Rhythmic aerobic routines or treadmill walking; Cool-down (5-10 mins): Stretching major muscle groups. Supervision: Sessions conducted under the guidance of a physiotherapist or fitness instructor.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Weight (kilograms) - measured using a calibrated weighing scale	Measured with a calibrated digital weighing scale. Participants will be weighed barefoot, wearing light clothing, after emptying their bladder. Reliable if calibrated regularly and used under standardized conditions (same scale, same time of day, light clothing, after voiding). Test-retest reliability > 0.97. Highly valid for measuring body weight; directly measures mass in kilogram. The scale's accuracy is typically within 0.1 kg.	8 weeks
Body Mass Index (BMI)	Calculated by dividing weight (kg) by the square of height (m) (BMI = weight/height²). Height will be measured once at baseline with a stadiometer. Reliable when the procedure is standardized (barefoot, standing straight, head in Frankfort plane). Intra-observer reliability > 0.95. Valid anthropometric tool; stadiometers accurately reflect true stature when calibrated.	8 weeks
Waist to Hip Ratio (WHR)	Calculated by dividing Waist by Hip (WHR = Waist cm / Hip cm). Reliable if both waist and hip are measured accurately with the same procedure. WHR is a well validated indicator of body-fat distribution and health-risk; a higher WHR is strongly associated with metabolic disorders	8 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Riphah International University
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Zainab Nadeem, MS*, Riphah International University

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Seitz D, Hintze A. [Myelomalacia following vertebral angiography with a femoral catheter (author's transl)]. Rofo. 1976 Jul;125(1):59-62. doi: 10.1055/s-0029-1230418. German.
• Goldstein J. Biologic and clinical considerations of hepatitis B infection. J Endod. 1979 Feb;5(2):56-9. doi: 10.1016/S0099-2399(79)80108-9. No abstract available.
• Drake AF, Dufton MJ, Hider RC. The flexible nature of a critical peptide region common to all Elapidae "short" neurotoxins. FEBS Lett. 1977 Nov 15;83(2):202-6. doi: 10.1016/0014-5793(77)81005-3. No abstract available.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): April 2, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): September 2, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): October 15, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: June 8, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 8, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): June 11, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): June 11, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 8, 2026
• Last Verified: June 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Pilates; Body Mass Index; Exercise Therapy; Aerobic Exerciser
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Motor Activity; Movement; Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena; Musculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena; Therapeutics; Physical Therapy Modalities; Exercise; Exercise Movement Techniques
• Other Study ID Numbers: REC/RCR & AHS/25/0527

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