Association of physical activity and positive thinking with global sleep quality

This study examined the association of different intensity levels of physical activity and positive thinking with a global sleep quality among college students. The research question was: to what degree were the different intensity levels of physical activity and positive thinking significantly associated with the global sleep quality among college students? We recruited students, who enrolled in regular physical education classes during a fall semester at a major public university. 553 students signed the consent form and indicated their voluntary participation in this study. The final data set for analysis consisted of 403 college students with the mean age of 19.01 years ± 1.559 years (217 males vs. 186 females) based on the results of data screening. They completed three questionnaires: International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and Positive Thinking Scale (PTS) during a regular physical education class. The multiple regression model revealed that vigorous-intensity physical activity, positive thinking, and negative thinking were collectively and individually associated with the Global PSQI sleep quality (F = 19.389, p = .000), explaining 12.8% of the total variance in the Global PSQI sleep quality for the total sample. College students' engaging in vigorous intensity level of physical activity, and having a good level of positive thinking and a low level of negative thinking were both collectively and individually linked to the Global PSQI sleep quality.

Does Pilates effect on depression status, pain, functionality, and quality of life in university students? A randomized controlled study

PURPOSE

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of Pilates exercise program on health-related quality of life, pain, functional level, and depression status in university students.

DESIGN AND METHODS

The exercise programs were carried out for 12 weeks. The scales of Nottingham Health Profile, Visual Analog Scale, Oswestry Disability Index, and Beck Depression Inventory were used at the baseline and after training.

FINDINGS

Exercise should be encouraged to reduce pain and depression and improve the quality of life in healthy university students. Both Pilates and therapeutic exercises approach can be preferred.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

The results of this study show the inability to identify clear different effects from therapeutic exercises on university students for Pilates exercises.

Effects of kettlebell training and detraining on mood status and sleep and life quality of healthy women

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Kettlebell exercise have become popular because of its ability to simultaneously train aerobic/anaerobic systems, low cost and easy access, and the great potential for physical fitness programs with a focus on public health. However, little is known about its effects on mood status, sleep, and quality of life (QOL) parameters. The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of kettlebell training/detraining on the prevention of depressive and anxiety symptoms and QOL and sleep quality.

METHODS

The sample was composed of 17 healthy women (age: 26.0 ± 5.0 years; body mass: 60.9 ± 12.5 kg; height: 164.6 ± 5.5 cm). The study was organized into four consecutive phases: pre-intervention (PRE), intervention (kettlebell training, 12 weeks, three times/week), post-intervention (POST) and detraining (D, four weeks). The questionnaires SF-36 (QOL), Beck (depressive symptoms), State-Anxiety Inventory (acute anxiety symptoms), POMS (mood state) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (sleep quality) were administered at PRE/POST/D phases.

RESULTS

QOL, anxiety, sleep quality, and mood state exhibited no differences between PRE/POST/D. Levels of depressive symptoms significantly decreased (22.0%, p = 0.003) between PRE and POST phases, and remained low and similar to POST levels after D.

CONCLUSION

Twelve weeks of kettlebell training was able to reduce and prevent depressive/anxiety symptoms in healthy women and these results were maintained after short-term detraining. Thus, kettlebell training might be considered an alternative method on the promotion of mental health and prevention of mood disorders and consequently can improve QOL even in health people.

How does the Execution of the Pilates Method and Therapeutic Exercise Influence Back Pain and Postural Alignment in Children Who Play String Instruments? A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study

BACKGROUND

Inappropriate posture in children while playing some string instruments can cause back pain and alterations of the spine. To date, there is no research on the effect of exercise on children who play a musical instrument, although it is known that transversus abdominis muscle control through the Pilates method has shown pain reduction and posture improvement in this population.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the effectiveness of the Pilates method combined with therapeutic exercise with respect to therapeutic exercise exclusively in reducing pain and improving postural alignment in children playing string instruments applying a protocol of low dose to increase children's adherence to training.

METHODS

A randomized controlled pilot study was designed with two parallel intervention groups. Twenty-five children (10-14 years old) were randomized in two intervention groups: Pilates method with therapeutic exercise (experimental) and therapeutic exercise (control) for 4 weeks (50 min per day, one day per week). Two assessments were performed (before and after treatment) to assess back pain and shoulders and hips alignment using a visual analog scale and the Kinovea program.

RESULTS

Statistically significant differences were obtained for pain reduction before (p = 0.04) and after (p = 0.01) playing the instrument in the experimental group. There were no significant changes in alignment improvement in any of the two groups.

CONCLUSION

The application of a low dose of the Pilates method combined with therapeutic exercise could be a beneficial intervention for pain reduction before and after musical practice in children who play string instruments.

Spanish Costaleros' Physical Activity and Their Quality of Life

(1) Physical activity is one of the most influencing factors in people' quality of life. Likewise, the costaleros of the Holy Week of Andalusia (Spain) carry out an important effort with high intensity during an extended time without any preparation. This study was the aim of knowing the intensity of the physical activity practiced by the costaleros in relation to their quality of life. (2) A transversal study was carried out with 1057 costaleros in Andalusia (Spain), where 930 were male and 127 female, between the ages of 18-61 years old (31.26 ± 7.60). For this purpose, descriptive, inferential, and correlative analyses were developed. Accelerometers (ActiGraph) were used during the procession to know the intensity of physical activity and the SF-36 test to know the self-perceived state of health and quality of life. (3) The intensity of physical activity practiced by costaleros is moderate, and it is related with their quality of life. In addition, positive associations are found between general health and physical activity. (4) Participants' quality of life is associated with physical activity and freedom from injury. In addition, the measurement by accelerometry provides real data on the intensity of the effort made.

Feasibility and effect of a Pilates program on the clinical, physical and sleep parameters of adolescents with anorexia nervosa

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Anorexia nervosa (AN) becomes chronic, with high physical, psychological and social morbidity and high mortality without early and effective treatment. The impact of physical exercise as a coadjutant to conventional treatment in this clinical population has been studied with favorable results. Although a Pilates program could be beneficial for patients with AN, no study has analyzed its feasibility and effects in adolescents with AN. Therefore, this study evaluated the safety of a Pilates program and investigated the feasibility and effect in adolescents with AN.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this prospective quasi-experimental study, body composition, blood analysis, sedentary time, physical activity and time of sleep, and physical fitness were measured objectively before and after a 10-week Pilates supervised program.

RESULTS

Twelve female adolescents with AN (14.6 ± 1.7 years old) completed the program, with a session attendance rate of 96%, a persistence rate of 100%. There were significant increases in height, plasma calcium and sleep efficiency. Significant decreases in plasma follitropin, sleep duration and, duration and number of night perturbations were observed.

CONCLUSION

A Pilates program is safe and feasible in adolescents with AN when they have a controlled and stable weight, and such a program could be a viable alternative among treatment programs to achieve better sleep quality.

Effect of Pilates on Sleep Quality: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Objective: Pilates exercise is increasingly used to improve sleep quality, but relevant evidence remains unclear. We aimed to estimate the effect of Pilates on sleep quality.

Methods: Five databases were searched for articles published until 10 December 2019. Two investigators screened the articles and extracted data from each included study. A meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the effect of Pilates on sleep quality, assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI).

Results: Six randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comprising 477 participants were included according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria in the study. All included studies reported the positive effects Pilates had on sleep quality. The Pilates group (PG) significantly lowered the PSQI total score (MD = −3.60, 95%CI: [−5.41, −1.78), P = 0.0001, I² = 97%) compared to the non-exercising control group (CG), whereas no significant improvement in use of sleep medication was observed (MD = −0.33, 95%CI: [−0.73, −0.06), P = 0.10, I² = 68%). However, in a subgroup analysis, we found that there was no significant reduction in the PSQI total score for healthy participants over 40 years old (MD = −3.73, 95%CI: [−7.89, 0.42], P = 0.08, I² = 98%) and for postmenopausal women (MD = −5.55, 95%CI: [−13.98, −2.89], P = 0.20, I² = 98%).

Conclusions: Overall, Pilates improved sleep quality but had no significant effect on the use of sleep medication. However, Pilates showed no significant impact on sleep quality for healthy individuals over 40 years old and for postmenopausal women. Well-designed and large-scale RCTs are needed in the future.

Pilates in noncommunicable diseases: A systematic review of its effects

OBJECTIVES

Chronic cardiovascular diseases, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes are the four major groups of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and the main cause of mortality worldwide. Pilates has been described as an effective intervention to promote healthy behaviors and physical activity in people with chronic diseases. However, the evidence of its effects in NCDs have not been systematized. We investigated the effects of Pilates in the four major groups of NCDs.

DESIGN

A systematic review was performed. Searches were conducted on Cochrane Library, EBSCO, PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus and Web of Science databases. Studies were rated with the quality assessment tool for quantitative studies. As a meta-analysis was not possible to conduct, a best-evidence synthesis was used.

RESULTS

Twelve studies, mostly of moderate quality, were included with 491 participants (78.6% females; age range 13-70 years old) with breast cancer (n = 3), diabetes (n = 3), chronic stroke (2 years post stroke) (n = 2), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (n = 1), cystic fibrosis (n = 1), heart failure (n = 1) and arterial hypertension (n = 1). The best-evidence synthesis revealed strong evidence for improving exercise tolerance; moderate evidence for improving symptoms, muscle strength and health-related quality of life and limited or conflicting evidence on vital signs, metabolic parameters, body composition, respiratory function, functional status, balance, flexibility and social support.

CONCLUSIONS

Pilates should be considered for patients with NCDs, as it improves exercise tolerance. Future studies with robust methodologies are still needed to clarify its effectiveness on outcomes with moderate, limited or conflicting evidence and to establish the most suitable intervention protocol.

Ultrasound Evaluation of the Abdominal Wall and Lumbar Multifidus Muscles in Participants Who Practice Pilates: A 1-year Follow-up Case Series

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to describe ultrasound (US) changes in muscle thickness produced during automatic activation of the transversus abdominis (TrAb), internal oblique (IO), external oblique (EO), and rectus abdominis (RA), as well as the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the lumbar multifidus (LM), after 1 year of Pilates practice.

METHODS

A 1-year follow-up case series study with a convenience sample of 17 participants was performed. Indeed, TrAb, IO, EO, and RA thickness, as well as LM CSA changes during automatic tests were measured by US scanning before and after 1 year of Pilates practice twice per week. Furthermore, quality of life changes using the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey and US measurement comparisons of participants who practiced exercises other than Pilates were described.

RESULTS

Statistically significant changes were observed for the RA muscle thickness reduction during the active straight leg raise test (P = .007). Participants who practiced other exercises presented a larger LM CSA and IO thickness, which was statistically significant (P < .05). Statistically significant changes were not observed for the domains of the analyzed 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (P > .05). A direct moderate correlation was observed (r = 0.562, P = .019) between the TrAb thickness before and after a 1-year follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term Pilates practice may reduce the RA thickness automatic activation during active straight leg raise. Furthermore, LM CSA and IO thickness increases were observed in participants who practice other exercise types in conjunction with Pilates. Despite a moderate positive correlation observed for TrAb thickness, the quality of life did not seem to be modified after long-term Pilates practice.

Pilates and aerobic training improve levels of depression, anxiety and quality of life in overweight and obese individuals

ABSTRACT Objective: To compare the effects of Pilates and walking on quality of life, depression, and anxiety levels. Methods: Sixty-three overweight/obese participants were randomly divided into: control (n = 20), walking (n = 21), and Pilates (n = 22) groups. Pilates and walking groups attended eight weeks of 60-minute exercise sessions three times per week. Quality of life, depression, and state- and trait-anxiety levels were evaluated before and after eight weeks of training. Results: Scores of quality of life, depression, and trait-anxiety improved in the Pilates and walking groups. State-anxiety levels improved only in the walking group. Conclusion: Pilates and walking positively impact quality of life, depression and anxiety. The Pilates method could be used as an alternative to improve mood disorders in overweight/obese individuals.

Examining the postural awareness and flexibility changes in physical therapy students who took clinical Pilates class

Objective:

This study aimed to evaluate postural awareness and changes in posture and flexibility of students who took Clinical Pilates class as an elective course at the undergraduate level.

Methods:

The study conducted from 2013-2016 included 98 students who took Clinical Pilates class at the Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, School of Health Sciences, Istanbul Medipol University, Turkey. The flexibility levels of the study participants were measured before and after the Clinical Pilates education using finger-to-floor test and modified Schober’s test. Observational posture analysis and postural awareness were recorded using the scale prepared by the researchers.

Results:

The post-education evaluations showed that postural distortions were fixed, and a significant increase in the postural awareness of the students was observed compared with the pre-education period. The results of both modified Schober’s test and finger-to-floor test, which were used to measure the flexibility levels, showed a statistically significant increase in post-education scores compared with those of the pre-education period.

Conclusion:

This study showed that the Clinical Pilates course increased postural awareness and flexibility of physical therapy students and fixed postural distortions. Thus, the inclusion of Clinical Pilates class in the undergraduate education is considered to be important.

Increased strength of the scapular stabilizer and lumbar muscles after twelve weeks of Pilates training using the Reformer machine: A pilot study

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this work was to analyze muscle strength in Pilates novices who used the Reformer equipment during twelve training sessions.

METHODS

Twenty-four healthy young female volunteers, who were non-smokers and did not exercise regularly, were split into a control group (mean age 28 ± 4 years and BMI 24.55 ± 3.21 kg/m²) and a training group (mean age 29 ± 4 years and BMI 22.69 ± 2.87 kgm²). The data were checked for normality using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, and were then analyzed using the t-test (p < 0.05).

RESULTS

After the training sessions, there were statistically significant differences between the groups for the scapular stabilizer muscles (p = 0.0263) and the lumbar muscles (p = 0.0001). For the scapular stabilizers, the initial/final values were 14.69 ± 2.80/14.79 ± 2.89 (control group) and 15.99 ± 3.54/17.44 ± 2.88 (Pilates group). The corresponding values for the lumbar muscles were 53.83 ± 11.66/53.28 ± 11.14 (control group) and 54.75 ± 10.27/64.80 ± 10.20 (Pilates group).

CONCLUSION

After twelve sessions of Pilates with the Reformer equipment, there were improvements in lumbar extensor and scapular stabilizer strength. Several benefits are reported by practitioners of Pilates, but until now, there has been limited scientific evidence of the improvement of strength in the trunk and limbs after application of the technique.