The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness 2021 Feb 08

DOI: 10.23736/S0022-4707.21.12089-4

Copyright © 2021 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

lingua: Inglese

The effect of Pilates training on hormonal and psychophysical function in older women

Arezu FARZANE, Maryam KOUSHKIE JAHROMI ✉

Department of Sport Sciences, School of Education and Psychology, Shiraz University, Iran

BACKGROUND: DHEA-S and cortisol and their ratio are important determinants of some physiological and psychological function during aging. The present study aimed to determine the effect of eight weeks of Pilates training on diurnal salivary cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S),and cortisol to DHEA-S ratio, cardiorespiratory fitness (CF), and psychological function in older women.
METHODS: 27 healthy older women (aged 60-65 years) participated in the study voluntarily and were divided into two groups of Pilates training (n=15) and control (n=12), randomly. Before and after the experiment, salivary samples (at wake up and 30-min postawakening, midday, 5 p.m., and 9 p.m.) were taken and the participants completed the questionnaires. Cognitive function was assessed by the MMSE questionnaire. Pilates training was performed three times weekly, in non-consecutive days.
RESULTS: Pilates training increased VO2max (48%, p<0.001) and cognitive function (73%, p<0.001) and decreased BMI (16%, p=0.042), anxiety (53%, p<0.001) and depression (67%, p<0.001) compared to the control group. Also, in Pilates training group, mean cortisol (16%, p=0.039), CAR (24%, p=0.010), fall after peak of cortisol (15%, p=0.50), morning DHEA-S (43%, p<0.001) and mean DHEA-S (34%, p=0.002) increased compared to the control group.
CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that Pilates training could improve mental and physical function which was accompanied by changes of diurnal cortisol and DHEA as one of the possible effective factors.

KEY WORDS: Exercise; Menopause; Cortisol; Dehydroepiandrosterone; Cognition; Cardiorespiratory fitness