Effects of Pilates Exercises on Core Stability After Recovery from COVID-19: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Purpose: The primary objective was to investigate the effects of Pilates exercises on CS, and the secondary objective was to assess static trunk balance after recovery from COVID-19. Patients and Methods: 145 recovered COVID-19 university students between the ages of 19 and 25 participated in this single-blinded, randomized controlled trial study. The participants were divided into a Pilates group and a control group, each of which received a home exercise program. Core muscle endurance was measured using the five basic endurance tests and static balance using the Prokin system with open eyes (OE) and closed eyes (CE) at baseline and after three months of treatment. Results: All measured parameters showed improvement within the groups after treatment. Group comparison revealed a significant increase in the Pilates group in all core endurance tests (P< 0.001). The Prokin system results showed improvement in the Pilates group after treatment, while perimeter with OE, CE, and ellipse area with EC decreased (P< 0.001), but there was no significant difference in ellipse with OE between the groups. Conclusion: Pilates exercises positively improved core muscle endurance and trunk balance in people infected with COVID-19, which will be reflected in their quality of movement patterns and quality of life. Keywords: pilates, core endurance, postural balance, COVID-19