Effects of 8-week prop Pilates or apparatus Pilates on body composition, blood pressure, mechanical properties of core muscles, mental health, and physical fitness in postmenopausal women

PURPOSE: The present study aimed to verify the effects of an 8-week prop Pilates training program on body composition, blood pressure, core muscle mechanical properties, mental health, and physical fitness in postmenopausal women. METHODS: Twenty-four postmenopausal women were divided into a prop Pilates group (PPG, n = 12) and an apparatus Pilates group (APG, n = 12) via randomized equal sampling. All participants maintained their normal daily lifestyle during the study period and performed the Pilates intervention corresponding to each group for 8 weeks, 3 times per week, 50 min a day. The effectiveness of the two modalities was examined by analyzing pre- and post-intervention changes. RESULTS: PPG showed a significant decrease in external oblique muscle tone, STAI, and BDI and a significant increase in sit-ups, sit-and-reach, and one-leg stand with eyes closed. The APG showed a significant decrease in systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure, external oblique and erector spinae muscle tone, and BDI and a significant increase in grip strength, sit-ups, seated forward bends, and one-leg standing with eyes closed. CONCLUSION: The present study confirmed that both prop Pilates and apparatus Pilates were effective in improving the mechanical properties of the core muscles, mental health, and physical fitness of postmenopausal women. Overall, significant time effects were observed in the APG for blood pressure, lumbar erector spinae muscle tone, and grip strength.