Pilates Exercise and Physical Performance, Body Composition, and Serum Myokines

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of 8 weeks Pilates exercise on body composition, physical performance and serum myokines of overweight and obese women. Twenty six middle-age, sedentary overweight and obese women volunteered to participate in this study. They were allocated to either the experimental (n = 13) or control group (n = 13). The experimental group participated in an 8-week Pilates exercise program (3 days per week). Body height and weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC); muscular strength and endurance; static and dynamic balance; serum levels of Follistatin, Decorin and Myostatin were assessed at baseline and at the end of the study. Analyses of covariance (ANCOVA) test were used for data analysis (p < 0.05). Upper and lower body strength increased significantly in the experimental group (p = 0.003 and p < 0.001, respectively). Moreover, muscular endurance, consisting push up and sit up tests, in the experimental group increased significantly (p = 0.01 and p = 0.03, respectively). Additionally, static and dynamic balance improved significantly in experimental group (p = 0.002 and p = 0.005, respectively). However, there was no significant difference between experimental and control groups in body weight, BMI, WC and serum levels of Decorin, Follistatin, and Myostatin (p > 0.05).