Does Pilates effect on depression status, pain, functionality, and quality of life in university students? A randomized controlled study.

PURPOSE

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of Pilates exercise program on health-related quality of life, pain, functional level, and depression status in university students.

DESIGN AND METHODS

The exercise programs were carried out for 12 weeks. The scales of Nottingham Health Profile, Visual Analog Scale, Oswestry Disability Index, and Beck Depression Inventory were used at the baseline and after training.

FINDINGS

Exercise should be encouraged to reduce pain and depression and improve the quality of life in healthy university students. Both Pilates and therapeutic exercises approach can be preferred.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

The results of this study show the inability to identify clear different effects from therapeutic exercises on university students for Pilates exercises.