The Effects of Online Home-Based Pilates Combined with Diet on Body Composition in Women Affected by Obesity: A Preliminary Study.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to investigate the effects of a twelve-week online Pilates program combined with a Mediterranean diet on body composition in obese females.
Results Summary
The study found that the Pilates group showed significant reductions in fat mass percentage and increases in fat-free mass, appendicular skeletal muscle mass, and skeletal muscle mass compared to the control group.
Population
Thirty-five obese females.
Effective Dosage
Three times per week, 180 minutes per week (Pilates Matwork program).
Duration
Twelve weeks.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
twelve weeks of online Pilates plus diet | decrease | fat mass percentage | individuals affected by obesity | - | significantly lower | #1 |
twelve weeks of online Pilates plus diet | increase | fat-free mass | individuals affected by obesity | - | significantly higher | #2 |
twelve weeks of online Pilates plus diet | increase | appendicular skeletal muscle mass | individuals affected by obesity | - | significantly higher | #3 |
twelve weeks of online Pilates plus diet | increase | skeletal muscle mass | individuals affected by obesity | - | significantly higher | #4 |
Home-based Pilates combined with diet intervention | increase | body composition | adults affected by obesity | - | may represent an effective strategy to improve | #5 |
Diet and exercise intervention are the first strategies to counteract obesity. An online home-based exercise program may be a feasible approach in an obese population. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of twelve weeks of online Pilates plus diet on body composition in individuals affected by obesity. Thirty-five females were randomly assigned to a home-based Pilates group (PG, n = 18) or a group without intervention (control group, CG, n = 17). All participants followed a Mediterranean diet. The PG followed a twelve-week online Pilates Matwork program (three times/week; 180 min/week), while the CG was not involved in any structured physical exercise program. Body composition and handgrip strength were evaluated at baseline (T0) and after the intervention (T1). A significant group × time interaction (p < 0.05) was found for the fat mass percentage (pFM). Specifically, the pFM was significantly lower at T1 than at T0 in the PG. Significant group × time interactions for fat-free mass (p < 0.05), appendicular skeletal muscle mass (p < 0.05), and skeletal muscle mass (p < 0.01) were found. All these variables were significantly higher at T1 than at T0 in the PG (p < 0.05). Home-based Pilates combined with diet intervention may represent an effective strategy to improve body composition in terms of fat mass reduction and muscle mass gain in adults affected by obesity.