Pilates and Health Awareness: The Relationship Between Exercise Commitment and Breast Cancer Awareness in Women

The present study aimed to examine the relationship between exercise adherence and breast cancer awareness among women who practice Pilates. The study was designed using a relational screening model. The sample consisted of 112 women residing in Diyarbakır who were actively engaged in Pilates exercises. Data were collected using a demographic information form, the Exercise Commitment Scale, and the Breast Cancer Awareness Scale. Descriptive statistics, including frequency and percentage distributions, were calculated. Following the assessment of normality assumptions, independent samples t-tests and Pearson correlation analyses were conducted. The results indicated that exercise adherence levels differed significantly according to marital status, having a relative diagnosed with breast cancer, and smoking status (p < .05). Breast cancer awareness levels were found to be significantly higher only among participants who had a relative diagnosed with breast cancer and those who reported regular medication use (p < .05). No statistically significant association was observed between exercise adherence and breast cancer awareness (p > .05). In conclusion, exercise adherence among women practicing Pilates was found to vary significantly with respect to marital status, smoking behavior, and having a relative diagnosed with breast cancer, whereas breast cancer awareness was associated solely with having a relative diagnosed with breast cancer and regular medication use. Furthermore, the results demonstrated that exercise adherence and breast cancer awareness were not significantly related.

Cite this article as: Gözaçık, Y. (2026). Pilates and health awareness: the relationship between exercise commitment and breast cancer awareness in women. Research in Sports Science, 16, 0079, doi: 10.5152/rss.2026.25079.