Protein Supplementation in Pilates Training

Pilates training, a type of mind and body exercise that focuses on muscle strength and flexibility, has become increasingly popular in recent years. Research has shown that Pilates could be an effective exercise form to improve body composition, particularly in obese individuals, while beneficial effects on flexibility, muscular strength, and muscular endurance have also been observed in young and older adults. It is well documented that protein supplementation can augment the effects of resistance training on body composition and performance. While there is an abundance of studies investigating the effect of protein supplements on adaptations to resistance exercise, there is a knowledge gap regarding their effectiveness in Pilates training. The aim of this research is to investigate the effects of protein supplementation, compared to placebo (maltodextrin) on body composition, performance, and biochemical indices in healthy young and middle-aged, eumenorrheic (regular menstrual cycle) women who perform Pilates. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either 0.6 g of whey protein or maltodextrin per kg body weight per day for 10 weeks. Participants will be asked to avoid modifying their dietary habits for the duration of the study to limit the effect of diet on the measured parameters. To check for this, participants will record their diet for 3 days (2 weekdays and one weekend day) on the first, middle, and last weeks of the intervention. Dietary records will then be analyzed. Pilates classes will be performed at least two times per week, while specialized Pilates equipment (Reformer or Cadillac) will be used according to the Pilates principles. The duration of each workout will be set at around 50 min. Participants will undergo measurements of body composition, core muscle endurance, and joint flexibility at the beginning and end of the study. In addition, hematologic parameters, clinical chemistry parameters, hormones, and plasma amino acids will be m