Mat Pilates training reduces blood pressure in both well-controlled hypertensive and normotensive postmenopausal women: a controlled clinical trial study

The efficacy of Pilates method in patients with hypertension: systematic review and meta-analysis

This study aimed to systematically review the available evidence on the effects of Pilates training programs on blood pressure in hypertensive patients. Randomized clinical trials and comparative studies were searched in four electronic databases until September 2023 (updated December 2023). The methodological quality of included studies was assessed using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database and Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies scales. A total of 4 randomized clinical trials and 7 comparative studies were included, showing a low (n = 1), hight (n = 6), and good (n = 4) methodological quality. Data synthesis indicated that participants who performed Pilates program obtained significantly reduces on systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure, of -4.76 mmHg (95% CI: -6.55 to -2.97, p < 0.001) and -3.43 mmHg (95% CI: -4.37 to -2.49, p < 0.001), respectively, in comparison with those included in the comparison groups. When the analysis was performed by comparing hypertensive, and normotensive patients, the results remained non-significant for blood pressure (systolic blood pressure: 0.96 mmHg (95% CI: -2.85 to 4.77, P = 0.49); diastolic blood pressure: 1.18 mmHg (95% CI: -1.23 to 3.58, P = 0.34); mean blood pressure: 1.73 mmHg (95% CI: -1.96 to 5.42, P = 0.36). Evidence suggests Pilates is safe for hypertensive patients and can be part of their rehabilitation, but it may not necessarily offer superior results or improve exercise adherence compared to other modalities.

Is Pilates effective in improving depressive disorders? A comprehensive overview

Depressive disorders are disabling conditions that account for high social costs. Pilates demonstrated to have several beneficial effects on health. Objective of this manuscript was to systematically review the literature about the effects of Pilates on depressive disorders. A bibliographic search was conducted in the main database sources (Pubmed, Medline, and Scopus). The inclusion criteria consisted of articles written in English language about the effectiveness of Pilates on depressive symptoms. Most of included studies are randomized controlled trials (10 out of 12). The available literature agrees in indicating that Pilates is effective in improving depressive symptoms especially when compared to inactivity and when this practice is administered for a medium-long period (8-16 weeks). In addition, Pilates seems to have at least comparable effectiveness than aerobic exercise. Pilates can be considered a reliable complementary treatment for people with depressive disorders. These findings should be interpreted considering the different types of practice administered as well as the different duration of the programs or rating scales used to assess mood symptoms. Studies with a more homogenous design are needed to confirm and make generalizable the results presented in this review.

Comparative effectiveness of different modes of exercise interventions in diabetics with frailty in China: a systematic review and a network meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To systematically evaluate the efficacy of different training modes in patients with diabetes decline.

METHODS

PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMbase, Web of Science, CNKI, VIP, WANFANG, SinoMed were searched in computer to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of training intervention in patients with diabetes and frailty, and the search time was as of May 21, 2023. After two review authors independently screened studies, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias of included studies, network meta-analysis was performed using Stata14.0 and R4.3.1 software. Fasting blood glucose (FGB), glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c), two-hour postprandial blood glucose (PBG), total cholesterol (TCH), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), and body mass index (BMI) were used as outcome measures.

RESULTS

A total of 15 RCTs were included, including 1550 patients. The results of the network meta-analysis showed that integrated training reduced FBG compared with the control group; integrated training, Pilates training, resistance training can reduce HbA1c; Pilates training and resistance training can reduce PBG; integrated training, Pilates training, resistance training can reduce TCH; Pilates training and resistance training can reduce TG; resistance training improves BMI. The results of the best probability ranking showed that multi-group training had the most significant effect on improving PBG and SPPB scores.

CONCLUSION

The current evidence suggests that multi-group training is the best way to reduce fasting blood glucose and improve physical activity before meals, and Pilates training may be the best way to reduce glycated hemoglobin, blood glucose two hours after meals, improve blood lipid level and BMI in patients with diabetes in China.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

PROSPERO registration number for this study: CRD42023427868.

Effect of exercise training on blood pressure variability in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Targeting blood pressure variability (BPV) can potentially reduce cardiovascular events and incidence of mortality, but whether exercise reduces BPV remains controversial. This systematic review and meta-analysis were designed to study the impact of an exercise intervention on BPV in adults.

METHODS

A systematic search of PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, EBSCO host, Cochrane, Embase, Science direct databases was done to retrieve controlled trials published from inception to January 10, 2023 that investigated the effects of exercise on BPV. The main characteristics of each study were synthesized, re-evaluated, and used in this meta-analysis.

RESULTS

Eleven studies with 514 adults with exercise training were eligible for single-arm meta-analysis and six randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were selected for further meta-analysis. After exercise training, systolic blood pressure variability (SBPV) (effect size = -0.76, 95%CI: -1.21 to -0.30, I2 60%), especially the average real variability SBP (-0.85, -1.44 to -0.27, I2 59%), was significantly improved. SBPV (-0.68, -1.18 to -0.18, I2 64%) significantly improved in hypertension patients. Aerobic exercise improved SBPV (-0.66, -1.32 to -0.00, I2 45%), and combined training improved both SBPV (-0.74, -1.35 to -0.14, I2 65%) and diastolic blood pressure variability (DBPV) (-0.36, -0.65 to -0.02, I2 33%). The SBPV of daytime (-0.90, -1.39 to -0.40, I2 57%) and DBPV of daytime (-0.31, -0.53 to -0.08, I2 0%) values demonstrated significant improvement compared to the night-time values. Moreover, six RCTs demonstrated a decrease in SBPV (-1.03, -1.77 to -0.28, I2 45%).

CONCLUSION

This study provides quantitative evidence that exercise training can improve BPV, especially SBPV, in adults. This meta-analysis suggests that aerobic exercise and combined training should be recommended for hypertension patients.

Redox Status of Postmenopausal Women with Single or Multiple Cardiometabolic Diseases Has a Similar Response to Mat Pilates Training

Postmenopausal women have a high prevalence of cardiometabolic diseases and that may associate with higher oxidative stress. Exercise can contribute to the treatment of such diseases, but some modalities, such as Mat Pilates, need to be further studied in terms of their physiological responses. Our aim was to investigate the effects of 12 weeks of Mat Pilates on redox status in postmenopausal women with one or multiple comorbidities of cardiometabolic diseases. Forty-four postmenopausal women were divided into two groups: SINGLE, composed of women with one cardiometabolic disease (n = 20) and MULT, with multimorbidity (n = 24). Mat Pilates training was conducted three times a week for 12 weeks, and each session lasted 50 min. Plasma samples were collected before and after training to analyze the following redox markers: superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, total antioxidant capacity due to ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), reduced glutathione (GSH), uric acid, and carbonyl protein. ANCOVA showed interaction effects in FRAP (p = 0.014). Both groups had reduced levels of catalase (p = 0.240) and GSH (p = 0.309), and increased levels of carbonyl protein (p = 0.053) after intervention. In conclusion, the redox status of postmenopausal women shows no changes mediated by Mat Pilates training between SINGLE and MULT, except for greater reductions of FRAP in SINGLE.