BACKGROUND: Pilates is a popular type of exercise, aimed at improving core muscle strength and endurance, core stability, and joint flexibility through a variety of whole-body exercises. Research has shown that Pilates improves body composition, muscle endurance, and joint flexibility. Adequate protein intake is a key factor in supporting the adaptive response of skeletal muscle to exercise training. However, whether protein supplementation augments the adaptations to Pilates training remains unknown. Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of protein supplementation during Pilates training on body composition, core muscle endurance, and joint flexibility in trained women. METHODS: Nineteen Pilates-trained women (31 ± 9 y) performed 10 weeks of Pilates training using the Reformer and Cadillac apparatuses, at least 2 times per week. Participants were randomly allocated to either a placebo ( RESULTS: Participants received, on average, 1.3 g protein/kg body weight/day from their habitual diet. After 10 weeks of Pilates training and regardless of supplementation, body fat (assessed by BIA) and hip circumference decreased
lean mass, total water, and extracellular water (by BIA) increased
and arm lean mass, trunk bone mineral content, and trunk bone area (by DXA) increased (all CONCLUSION: Ten weeks of Pilates training improved core muscle endurance, joint flexibility, and aspects of body composition in healthy trained women, but these adaptations were not enhanced by daily supplementation with 0.6 g of protein per kilogram body weight.