The influence of the Pilates method on quality of life and bone remodelling in older women: a controlled study

Purpose The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the Pilates method on quality of life and bone remodeling markers in a group of older women. Methods A longitudinal prospective study with intervention was performed on 40 women aged over 60 years; they were divided into two groups: one submitted to a 50-min Pilates exercise session once a week for 20 weeks (Pilates), and the other was not (Control). Both groups were compared for quality of life using the Medical Outcomes Study 36, and for bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BSAP) and Type 1 collagen C-telopeptide (CTx) bone remodeling markers. Results The Pilates group presented improvement in the quality of life evaluation scores: physical functioning (67.50 +/- 18.88 x 86.25 +/- 9.58; p = 0.0232), and physical component summary (65.00 +/- 14.39 x 79.70 +/- 3.83; p = 0.0220). The Pilates group also presented higher scores than that of Controls after the exercise program: physical functioning (86.25 +/- 9.58 x 55.50 +/- 20.83, p = 0.0003), physical role (100.00 +/- 0.00 x 41.25 +/- 46.79, p = 0.0009), emotional role (100.00 +/- 0.00 x 48.33 +/- 50.12, p = 0.0046), vitality (82.50 +/- 14.28 x 60.25 +/- 21.43, p = 0.011), physical component summary (79.70 +/- 3.83 x 54.90 +/- 15.05, p < 0.0001), and emotional component summary (74.10 +/- 8.37 x 54.18 +/- 22.55, p = 0.0111). No changes were noted in bone remodeling markers [CTx (0.39 +/- 0.26 x 0.38 +/- 0.22 ng/mL) and BSAP (10.73 +/- 2.40 x 11.01 +/- 3.56 mu g/L)] and did not differ from the Control group both before (CTx: 0.39 +/- 0.26 x 0.37 +/- 0.17 ng/mL; BSAP: 10.73 +/- 2.40 x 10.58 +/- 3.49 mu g/L; p > 0.05) and after exercise (CTx: 0.38 +/- 0.22 x 0.38 +/- 0.22 ng/mL; BSAP: 11.01 +/- 3.56 x 9.85 +/- 3.12 mu g/L; p > 0.05). Conclusion The group of women submitted to Pilates presented improved quality of life but without changes in bone remodeling.