Abstract:

Abstract The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of a twelve-week pilates exercise program on some performance tests and body composition. The research was a quantitative study and experimental research model was used as a model. The study group consisted of 32 female volunteer students aged between 20-23 who were educated at Kırıkkale University, Faculty of Sports Sciences, and took pilates lessons. Before starting the exercise program and after finishing the exercise program, the participants' data on anthropometric (body weight, height, body fat ratio and circumference measurements) and performance tests (sit and reach test, vertical jump test, 20 m speed and t-dril test) were collected. The arithmetic means and standard deviations of all data were calculated. The comparison of the measurement values of the participants before and after the exercise program (pre-test and post-test) was made with the paired samples t-test. A statistically significant difference was found between the anthropometric and performance tests (pre-test and post-test) of the participants. Considering the results of the study, it was determined that there were improvements in the physical appearance and physical performance of the individuals with regular pilates exercises, and that pilates exercises had significant effects on both the body composition and muscular endurance of the individuals.

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