Pilates training improves aerobic capacity, but not lipid or lipoprotein levels in elderly women with dyslipidemia: A controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the present study was to verify the effects of a Pilates training on total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), glucose and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, as well as on functionality of postmenopausal women with dyslipidemia. METHOD: This randomized study involved 35 sedentary women with dyslipidemia, aged between 60 and 75 years. One group participated in a Pilates exercises training with two to four weekly sessions during 10 weeks (Pilates group, n = 20) and the other group did not perform any intervention (control group, n = 6). Biochemical analyses and functionality parameters were measured before and after the 10 weeks. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed in TC, TG, LDL and HDL for both groups. Regarding glucose and CRP levels, significant reductions were observed in both groups after the intervention period. In functional parameters, both groups significantly increased their 30-s chair stand test values. On the other hand, only the Pilates group presented significant increments in the 6-min walk test (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Pilates training did not change lipid or lipoprotein levels, but improved cardiorespiratory fitness of elderly women with dyslipidemia.

Short-term water-based aerobic training promotes improvements in aerobic conditioning parameters of mature women.

Aging is accompanied by a decrease in aerobic capacity. Therefore, physical training has been recommended to soften the effects of advancement age. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of a short-term water-based aerobic training on resting heart rate (HRrest), heart rate corresponding to anaerobic threshold (HRAT), peak heart rate (HRpeak), percentage value of HRAT in relation to HRpeak and test duration (TD) of mature women. Twenty-two women (65.91 ± 4.83 years) were submitted to a five-week water-based interval aerobic training. Aerobic capacity parameters were evaluated through an aquatic incremental test. After training, there was an increase in TD (16%) and HRAT percentage in relation to HRpeak (4.68%), and a reduction of HRrest (9%). It is concluded that a water-based aerobic interval training prescribed through HRAT of only five weeks is able to promote improvements in aerobic capacity of mature women.