The Physiological and Health Effects of a Pilates Program combined With Nutritional Intervention on Subjects with Metabolic Syndrome

Background: As overweight or obese individuals can progress from normal physiology to metabolic syndrome to Type II Diabetes and other conditions, one area of question is whether relatively short interventions combining both nutritional and exercise interventions can make an impact on health status. The objective of this analysis was to determine the effects of a six-week intervention of Pilates exercise and nutritional modification on physiological variables and blood markers associated with metabolic syndrome. Methods: 10 intervention subjects and 4 control subjects completed pre and post testing for physiological variables (VO2 peak, anaerobic threshold, isokinetic endurance/power, foot and gait function, dynamic balance and body composition). Subjects also completed a pre-diabetes blood marker screen (BioPhysical, Austin, TX) for various blood markers. The intervention group exercised using a Pilate’s method/device (AeroPilates, Stamina Fitness, Springfield, MO) that had both strength and cardiovascular components for five sessions per week, for six weeks. Additionally, they met with a registered dietitian weekly who developed a nutritional plan for each individual with a balanced calorie deficit diet based upon their energy needs with predicted REE/TEE and other variables. At the end of the six week period, both groups were re-assessed in both areas. Results: The results indicated statistically significant improvement at the .05 level of confidence or lower for a number of measurements highlighted by overall weight loss (-7 Kg./7.5% of total weight), improved body composition (-2.58% body fat and -2.5 BMI), decreased waist/hip measurements (-9.3 cm/-5.9 cm), with a corresponding decrease in waist/hip ratio, decrease in systolic blood pressure (-10 mm/hg) and a 19.7% increase in muscular endurance. Blood markers which demonstrated significant improvement included decreased total cholesterol, decreased triglycerides, decreased glucose levels Hemoglobin A1c, decreased Plasmas Inhibitor Type 1 (PAI), and decreased Leptin. Conclusion: For the time invested in the combination dietary modification Pilates exercise program, the result was marked improvement in both the physiological and blood biomarker levels indicating improved health status and decreased risk of Type II Diabetes. While short term studies need further investigation, this is encouraging because individuals using a similar exercise/dietary modification plan can likely improve health status in a relatively short period of time giving motivation to adherence for long term changes.; ;