Effects of mat Pilates on older adult women with knee osteoarthritis: A randomized controlled trial

INTRODUCTION

Osteoarthritis is the most common joint disorder in the world and its incidence is rising, and one of the most frequent causes of pain, loss of function and disability in adults.

AIM

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Mat Pilates on health status, pain, stiffness, and functionality of older adult women with knee osteoarthritis (KOA).

METHODS

A randomized-controlled trial to preliminarily test an intervention protocol of Mat Pilates in older women with KOA on health status, pain, stiffness, and functionality. This study included 41 volunteers with age over 40 years, which mean was 52.1 ± 8.9 years, and were allocated into Mat Pilates and control groups. The protocol was developed to be performed in 60 min, twice a week; the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and the Medical Outcomes Study 36 (SF-36) were used to assess pain, to evaluate functionality and stiffness.

RESULTS

The Mat Pilates group significantly improved the functional capacity assessed by SF-36 (33.12 ± 22.03 to 69.37 ± 22.43, p < 0.05), and by WOMAC (29.75 ± 6.92 to 9.75 ± 9.35, p < 0.05). The pain domain also improved in Mat Pilates group assessed by SF-36 (39.50 ± 12.89 to 71.75 ± 18.66, p < 0.05) and by WOMAC (8.00 ± 2.56 to 2.75 ± 3.01, p < 0.05). The total score of WOMAC (41.75 ± 10.39 to 14.25 ± 13.88, p < 0.05), and the general health status assessed by SF-36 (59.44 ± 18.07 to 82.75 ± 12.03, p < 0.05) only improved for Mat Pilates group. No differences were observed in outcomes for the control group in both questionnaires.

CONCLUSION

Our results show that Mat Pilates protocol can improve the health status, pain, and functionality of older women with KOA.

Effects of eight-week water versus mat pilates on female patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain: Double-blind randomized clinical trial

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effects of water and mat Pilates on pain, disability, and static and dynamic balance in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain (CNLBP).

METHODS

Twenty-four participants with CNLBP were randomly allocated into two groups (n = 12) that perform water and mat Pilates exercises for 24 sessions (8-week, 3 sessions per week). The value for pain, disability and balance were measured before and after the exercise program using the Visual Analogue Scale, Oswestry Disability Questionnaire and Biodex Balance System respectively.

RESULTS

A paired t-test revealed significant differences in pain severity and disability in both groups after they performed the Pilates program (P ≤ 0.05). Mat Pilates improved static balance as the participants performed the tests with their eyes open and closed (P = 0.02, P = 0.04). Its effect on dynamic balance, however, was not statistically significant (ES = 0/33, P = 0/34). The same Pilates program performed in water did not show significant effects on balance despite a decline in body sway (P˃0/05). There was no difference between the two groups (P˃0/05).

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that both mat and water Pilates exercise program have beneficial effects on the treatment of LBP. Nevertheless, the low impact of the mat and water Pilates program on balance improvement suggests more investigation on Pilates training or complementary exercises to improve balance in patients with CNLBP.

Effect of mat vs. apparatus pilates training on the functional capacity of elderly women

INTRODUCTION

It is well known that physical exercise improves functional capacity (FC), promoting healthy aging. The Pilates method (PM) is an example of well-accepted physical exercise by the elderly and has been reported in studies to be beneficial for this population. However, it is not yet known whether there is a difference between the practice of mat and apparatus PM. The goal of this study was to compare the effect of mat versus apparatus Pilates training on functional capacity in elderly women.

METHOD

48 active elderly women (65.15 ± 3.0 years old), independent or partially independent in Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL), who had never practiced Pilates, were separated into three groups in a random order through a draw: Mat Group (MG = 15), Apparatus Group (AG = 16) and Control Group (CG = 17). Pilates training sessions were applied to MG and AG for 8 weeks, with two weekly sessions of 50 min. The FC of the three groups was evaluated by the Senior Fitness Test (SFT) battery, pre and post intervention.

RESULTS

There were improvements in lower and upper limb strength, aerobic endurance, lower and upper limb flexibility, and agility after the intervention in both groups, showing no significant differences when compared to mat and apparatus Pilates training (<0,05).

CONCLUSION

The mat and apparatus Pilates training provide significant and similar improvements in the functional capacity of elderly women.

Acute effects of mat Pilates session on heart rate and rating of perceived exertion

AIMS

The aim of this study was to analyze the acute effects of Heart Rate (HR) and Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) for 21 of 34 original Mat Pilates (MP) exercises, to estimate maximum oxygen consumption (VO_2max), and energy expenditure (EE) of a MP session.

METHODS

Ten participants volunteered (26.30 ± 3.98 yrs) to measure the intensity of each exercise; HR and RPE were monitored immediately after the end of each exercise. VO_2maxwas estimated using the Astrand-Ryhming step submaximal test, and EE by a linear regression equation. HR and RPE mean values and standard deviations were calculated for each exercise.

RESULTS

The maximum value for each participant normalized the EE and VO_2max values, which were ranked from highest to lowest. The percentage of the mean values of HR_max and RPE_max in each exercise showed significant, strong and positive correlation (p = 0.82; p = 0.001). In 10 exercises, HR was 60% higher than HR_max. The mean values of EE and VO_2max were 213.71 ± (76.41) Kcal and 34.69 ml (Kg^.min)^-1 (±3.5), respectively, for the entire MP session. Half of the exercises achieved moderate intensity in HR with low estimated VO_2max during the whole MP session. However, if the MP session of this study was practiced five times per week, it would meet the weekly American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) EE recommendations.

CONCLUSION

The 21 MP exercises monitored in this study promote considerably acute and high increments in HR and RPE.