The benefits of combining Pilates and HIIT for competitive athletes
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN10727055 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN10727055 |
| EC Registration Number | ECR/431/Inst/TN/2013/RR-24 |
| Sponsor | SRM University |
| Funder | Investigator initiated and funded. |
- Submission date
- 29/07/2026
- Registration date
- 31/07/2026
- Last edited
- 29/07/2026
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Other
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data
Record updated in last year
Plain English summary of protocol
Not provided at time of registration
Contact information
Dr Lavanya Dhanasekaran Lalitha
Scientific, Public, Principal investigator
Scientific, Public, Principal investigator
11, TNGO Colony
Chennai
600088
India
| Phone | +91 09884870345 |
|---|---|
| ld3958@srmist.edu.in |
Study information
| Primary study design | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Allocation | Randomized controlled trial |
| Masking | Open (masking not used) |
| Control | Active |
| Assignment | Parallel |
| Purpose | Treatment |
| Participant information sheet | 50008_PIS.pdf |
| Scientific title | Effect of Pilates and HIIT on selected physiological, biochemical and psychological variables among sports players |
| Study objectives | To determine the effectiveness of a 16-week combined Pilates and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) program in improving physiological, biochemical, neuroendocrine, psychological, and physical performance outcomes in healthy recreational sports players aged 18–25 years. |
| Ethics approval(s) |
Approved 24/11/2022, Institutional Ethics Committee of SRM Medical college Hospital & Research Centre (SRM Nagar, Kattankulathur, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu, Kattankulathur, 603203, India; +91; srmhospital.ktr@srmist.edu.in), ref: 8481 |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | A Pilates and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) program for healthy recreational sports players. |
| Intervention | Participants were recruited from recreational sports players and the investigator's health studio clients after eligibility screening and obtaining written informed consent. The two intervention groups (Pilates and HIIT) were formed based on the predefined recruitment source rather than through a formal random allocation procedure. Participants in the intervention group received a supervised 16-week combined Pilates and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) program. The intervention consisted of five sessions per week, including three HIIT sessions and two Pilates sessions. HIIT was performed on a treadmill at 85–90% of maximum heart rate using interval training, while Pilates consisted of mat-based exercises focusing on core strength, flexibility, posture, balance, and muscular endurance. Each session lasted approximately 45–60 minutes. Participants in the active control group continued their structured conventional exercise program of similar frequency and duration without receiving the combined Pilates and HIIT intervention. Both interventions were conducted over 16 weeks according to the study protocol, with baseline and post-intervention assessments of the predefined physiological, biochemical, and psychological outcome measures. |
| Intervention type | Behavioural |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
|
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) | |
| Completion date | 27/06/2023 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | |
|---|---|
| Age group | Adult |
| Lower age limit | 18 Years |
| Upper age limit | 25 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Target sample size at registration | 80 |
| Total final enrolment | 80 |
| Key inclusion criteria | 1. Healthy recreational sports players 2. Age 18–25 years 3. Both males and females (if applicable to your study; otherwise specify only males or only females) 4. Willing to provide written informed consent 5. Able to participate in a 16-week combined Pilates and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) program 6. Free from cardiovascular, neurological, musculoskeletal, or metabolic disorders that would limit exercise participation |
| Key exclusion criteria | 1. Individuals younger than 18 years or older than 25 years 2. History of cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological, musculoskeletal, or metabolic disorders that could affect exercise participation 3. Current injury or illness preventing participation in the exercise program 4. Participation in another structured exercise training or clinical research program during the study period 5. Use of medications known to significantly affect metabolic, hormonal, or cardiovascular responses 6. Pregnancy (if female participants were included) 7. Failure to provide written informed consent or inability to comply with the study protocol |
| Date of first enrolment | 15/12/2022 |
| Date of final enrolment | 28/02/2023 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- India
Study participating centres
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | No |
|---|
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Participant information sheet | 29/07/2026 | No | Yes | ||
| Protocol file | 29/07/2026 | No | No |
Additional files
- 50008_PIS.pdf
- Participant information sheet
- 50008_Protocol.pdf
- Protocol file
Editorial Notes
29/07/2026: Study’s existence confirmed by the Institutional Ethics Committee of SRM Medical college Hospital & Research Centre, India.
