Effects of an 8-week prenatal pilates program on spatiotemporal gait parameters, postural alignment and pain: A dual-center randomized controlled trial.
Merve Bulguroglu, Halil Ibrahim Bulguroglu, Baran Degirmenci et al.
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In 30 seconds
This dual-center randomized controlled trial evaluated an 8-week supervised prenatal Pilates program in 53 primiparous women at 16–20 weeks’ gestation. Participants were allocated to Pilates or a control group, with gait, pelvic kinematics, postural alignment, and pain assessed at baseline, week 4, and week 8. Gait parameters were preserved in the Pilates group while controls deteriorated. At week 8, the between-group difference in pain change was Δ = -2.43 cm; stride length, stance phase, pelvic tilt, and postural alignment also favored Pilates.
Key findings
- Gait was preserved with Pilates, whereas controls deteriorated; significant group × time interactions were reported for several gait parameters.
- At week 8, stride length favored Pilates (Δ = 0.14 m), as did stance phase (Δ = -6.22%) and pelvic tilt (Δ = 24.54°).
- Pain favored Pilates at week 8 (Δ = -2.43 cm).
- Postural alignment declined in controls but was preserved with Pilates (Δ = 15.13; p = 0.006).
Why it matters
Pregnancy-related changes can affect gait, posture, and musculoskeletal pain. This trial suggests that supervised prenatal Pilates may help preserve these outcomes during mid-pregnancy, including objective gait measures. The findings add randomized evidence to a field where the abstract notes that objective gait assessment has been limited.
What to keep in mind
The trial included 53 primiparous women at 16–20 weeks’ gestation and assessed outcomes over 8 weeks; the abstract does not report longer-term effects.