The Physical and Functional Effects of Pilates Exercises in Adolescents: A Systematic Review

Öz

The aim of this study is to systematically review the literature examining the effects of Pilates exercises on physical and functional parameters in adolescents. The research was conducted according to the systematic review model and based on the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. A literature search was conducted in March 2026 in the SportDiscus, Web of Science and Scopus databases using the keywords “pilates OR pilates exercise OR pilates training OR pilates method” AND “adolescent OR teenager OR youth OR high school student OR young athlete”. Studies published between 2016 and 2026, written in English, with full-text access available, and involving an intervention were included. A total of 10 studies meeting the specified inclusion criteria were reviewed. The vast majority of the reviewed studies found that Pilates exercises had positive effects on flexibility, muscle strength, explosive strength, sport-specific performance, functional movement, neuromuscular control, cardiorespiratory fitness and autonomic nervous system function in adolescents. Furthermore, it was reported that improvements in posture, particularly at the spinal and pelvic levels, were achieved, and in some cases, these exercises demonstrated preventive effects against the progression of postural disorders. However, some studies also reported that short-term interventions did not result in significant changes in postural parameters. In conclusion, it has been observed that Pilates exercises generally have a positive effect on physical and functional parameters in adolescents; however, this effect may vary depending on the duration of the programme, the content of the exercise programme and the parameters assessed.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Adolescents
• physical fitness
• functional parameters
• pilates
• posture

Adölesanlarda Pilates Egzersizlerinin Fiziksel ve Fonksiyonel Etkileri: Sistematik Derleme

Öz

Bu çalışmanın amacı, adölesan bireylerde pilates egzersizlerinin fiziksel ve fonksiyonel parametreler üzerindeki etkilerini inceleyen literatürü sistematik olarak değerlendirmektir. Araştırma, sistematik derleme modeline göre gerçekleştirilmiş ve PRISMA 2020 yönergeleri esas alınmıştır. Literatür taraması Mart 2026 tarihinde SportDiscus, Web of Science ve Scopus veri tabanlarında, “pilates OR pilates exercise OR pilates training OR pilates method” AND “adolescent OR teenager OR youth OR high school student OR young athlete” anahtar kelimeleri kullanılarak yapılmıştır. 2016–2026 yılları arasında yayımlanan, İngilizce dilinde ve tam metnine erişilebilen ve müdahale içeren çalışmalar dahil edilmiştir. Belirlenen dahil edilme kriterlerini karşılayan toplam 10 çalışma incelemeye alınmıştır. İncelenen çalışmaların büyük çoğunluğu, pilates egzersizlerinin adölesan bireylerde esneklik, kas kuvveti, patlayıcı kuvvet, branşa özgü performans, fonksiyonel hareket, nöromüsküler kontrol, kardiyorespiratuar uygunluk ve otonom sinir sistemi fonksiyonları üzerinde olumlu etkiler oluşturduğu belirlenmiştir. Ayrıca, özellikle omurga ve pelvis düzeyinde postüral iyileşmeler sağlandığı ve bazı durumlarda postüral bozuklukların ilerlemesini önleyici etkiler gösterdiği ifade edilmiştir. Bununla birlikte, bazı çalışmalarda kısa süreli müdahalelerin postüral parametreler üzerinde anlamlı bir değişim oluşturmadığı da rapor edilmiştir . Sonuç olarak, pilates egzersizlerinin adölesan bireylerde fiziksel ve fonksiyonel parametreler üzerinde genel olarak olumlu etkiler sağladığı; ancak bu etkinin uygulama süresi, egzersiz programının içeriği ve değerlendirilen parametrelere bağlı olarak değişkenlik gösterebildiği görülmüştür.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Adölesan
• fiziksel uygunluk
• fonksiyonel parametreler
• pilates
• postür

Kaynakça

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