Pilates Exercise and Physical Performance, Body Composition, and Serum Myokines

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of 8 weeks Pilates exercise on body composition, physical performance and serum myokines of overweight and obese women. Twenty six middle-age, sedentary overweight and obese women volunteered to participate in this study. They were allocated to either the experimental (n = 13) or control group (n = 13). The experimental group participated in an 8-week Pilates exercise program (3 days per week). Body height and weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC); muscular strength and endurance; static and dynamic balance; serum levels of Follistatin, Decorin and Myostatin were assessed at baseline and at the end of the study. Analyses of covariance (ANCOVA) test were used for data analysis (p 0.05)