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Effects of a Pilates exercise program on muscle strength, postural control and body composition: results from a pilot study in a group of post-menopausal women

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Abstract

Participation in exercise programs is heartily recommended for older adults since the level of physical fitness directly influences functional independence. The aim of this present study was to investigate the effects of supervised Pilates exercise training on the physical function, hypothesizing that a period of Pilates exercise training (PET) can increase overall muscle strength, body composition, and balance, during single and dual-task conditions, in a group of post-menopausal women. Twenty-five subjects, aged 59 to 66 years old, were recruited. Eligible participants were assessed prior and after 3 months of PET performed twice per week. Muscular strength was evaluated with handgrip strength (HGS) test, 30-s chair sit-to-stand test (30CST), and abdominal strength (AST) test. Postural control and dual-task performance were measured through a stabilometric platform while dynamic balance with 8 ft up and go test. Finally, body composition was assessed by means of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Statistically significant improvements were detected on HGS (+8.22 %), 30CST (+23.41 %), 8 ft up and go test (−5.95 %), AST (+30.81 %), medio-lateral oscillations in open eyes and dual-task condition (−22.03 % and −10.37 %). Pilates was effective in increasing upper body, lower body, and abdominal muscle strength. No changes on body composition were detected. Results on this investigation indicated also that 12-week of mat Pilates is not sufficient to determine a clinical meaningful improvement on static balance in single and dual-task conditions.

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Acknowledgments

We are particularly grateful to Ms. Valentina Casarotto, who led the mat Pilates program, Dr. Roberto Benetti for the statistical support, and Mr. Walter Gomiero for the laboratory and technical assistance. This investigation did not receive any specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sector. The authors declare no conflicts of interest that could prejudice the impartiality of the research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Sport and Exercise Medicine Division, Department of Medicine, University of Padova (IT), Via Giustiniani, 2, 35128, Padova, Italy

    M. Bergamin, S. Gobbo, V. Bullo, T. Zanotto, B. Vendramin, F. Duregon, M. Zaccaria, D. Neunhaeuserer & A. Ermolao

  2. Endocrinology Division, Department of Medicine, University of Padova (IT), Via Giustiniani, 2, 35128, Padova, Italy

    V. Camozzi

  3. Department of Medical Sciences “M. Aresu”, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy

    L. Cugusi

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  1. M. Bergamin
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  2. S. Gobbo
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  3. V. Bullo
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  4. T. Zanotto
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  7. L. Cugusi
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  9. M. Zaccaria
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  10. D. Neunhaeuserer
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  11. A. Ermolao
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Correspondence to M. Bergamin.

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Bergamin, M., Gobbo, S., Bullo, V. et al. Effects of a Pilates exercise program on muscle strength, postural control and body composition: results from a pilot study in a group of post-menopausal women. AGE 37, 118 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11357-015-9852-3

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