A Analysis of the Latest Research Trend of Pilates for Middle-aged Women in Korea

The aim of this study is to examine current research trends in Pilates for middle-aged women and propose future directions based on the findings. A total of 39 papers were reviewed, comprising 25 master’s theses and doctoral dissertations along with 14 academic journal articles published in Korea from 2004 to 2022. The main results of analyzing the status of papers by publication year, researcher background, journal types, Pilates exercise type, research methodologies, and research purpose are as follows. Research on Pilates for middle-aged women began with one master’s thesis in 2004 and has shown consistent growth until 2022, predominantly in the form of master's theses. The majority of researchers specialized in fields such as physical education, sports, and dance, with publications often appearing in the Journal of the Korean Society of Sports Science. Mat Pilates and small equipment Pilates emerged as the most frequently studied exercise types, predominantly using quantitative research methods to investigate physiological and body-related outcomes. Based on these findings, the study identifies future development directions for Pilates research among middle-aged women and offers recommendations for further investigation.