Effects of the Pilates exercise compared to whole body vibration and no treatment controls on muscular strength and quality of life in postmenopausal women: A randomized controlled trial
Affiliations: [a] Health Sciences Center, Universidade Estadual do Norte do Paraná (UENP), Jacarezinho, PR, Brazil | [b] Centro Universitário de Anápolis (UniEVANGÉLICA), Anápolis, GO, Brazil
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Laís C. Oliveira, Health Sciences Center, Universidade Estadual do Norte do Paraná (UENP), Alameda Padre Magno, 841, Nova Alcântara, CEP: 86.400-000, Jacarezinho, PR, Brazil. Tel./Fax: +55 43 3525 0498; E-mail: oliveiralc@uenp.edu.br.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Interventions using Pilates and whole body vibration (WBV) have been conducted in postmenopausal women, aimed at increasing muscular strength and quality of life; however, some results are contradictory. OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of Pilates vs. WBV on isokinetic muscle strength and quality of life in postmenopausal women. METHODS: Fifty-one (51) women were randomly assigned to the following groups, Pilates (n= 17), vibration (n= 17), or control (n= 17). Evaluations were performed for isokinetic muscular strength (N.m) of knee extensors and flexors (60∘/s and 180∘/s) and quality of life using the SF-36. The interventions were performed three times a week for six months, totaling 78 sessions. Analyzes for the primary outcomes were performed with intention-to-treat and covariance analyses adjusted for baseline outcomes. RESULTS: 96.1% of participants completed the follow-up. The Pilates was superior (p< 0.05) to WBV for muscle strength of the knee flexors at 60∘/s (% Change: 16.71 ± 20.68 vs. 6.18 ± 19.42; Cohen’s d= 0.70) and superior (p< 0.05) to the control group in all muscular strength variables and in four SF-36 domains. CONCLUSIONS: Pilates is an alternative intervention superior to WBV when the goal is linked to the strength of the knee flexor muscles.
Keywords: Exercise, isokinetic muscular strength, menopause, women’s health
