Purpose: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of 8 weeks Pilates exercise on physical performance, body composition, and serum myokines level of overweight and obese women.
Methods: Twenty six middle-age, sedentary overweight and obese women (age; 43.6 ± 1.8 years old, body mass index; 28.3 ± 1.14 kg/m2) volunteered to participate in the study and randomized to either the experimental (n = 13) or control group (n = 13). The experimental group participated in Pilates exercise program (8 weeks/3 days per week). Anthropometric indices of body composition; muscular strength and endurance; static and dynamic balance; flexibility; serum levels of Follistatin, Decorin and Myostatin were assessed at baseline and at the end of the study.
Results: Pilates exercise led to a significant increase in upper body (MD 3.9 kg [CI 95%, 1.54–6.3], p < 0.001) and lower body strength (MD 31.6 kg [CI 95%, − 16.9–46.3], p = 0.003) comparing to the control group. Moreover, Pilates exercise resulted in significant improvement in upper body (MD 3.7 n [CI 95%, 1–6.3], p = 0.01) and core endurance (MD 3.1 n [CI 95%, 1.2–5.05], p = 0.03) in comparison with the control group. Additionally, Pilates exercise led to a significant improvement in static balance (MD 1.4 s [CI 95%, 0.55–2.15], p = 0.002) and dynamic balance (MD − 4.16 s [CI 95%, − 6.9 to − 1.3], p = 0.005) comparing to the control group. However, there was no significant difference between groups in flexibility, body composition and serum levels of Decorin, Follistatin, and Myostatin (p > 0.05).
Conclusion: Eight weeks of Pilates exercise can improve physical performance of sedentary overweight and obese women. However, it seems that higher intensities or frequencies/volumes of exercise may be needed to induce significant changes in myokine levels and body composition in this population.