Acute Effect Of Pilates On Blood Pressure In Women

This randomized crossover clinical trial investigated the acute effect of a singlePilates exercise session on ambulatory blood pressure in women aged 50 years or olderwith elevated blood pressure.The study was conducted through three experimental sessions. In the first session, allparticipants underwent the control/baseline condition, which included clinical andsociodemographic assessment, familiarization with the assessment procedures, and baselineblood pressure measurements. An ambulatory blood pressure monitoring device was thenfitted and maintained for 24 hours without exercise, establishing the control condition.Following the control/baseline session, participants were randomly assigned to one of twointervention sequences: Pilates followed by walking or walking followed by Pilates. Asix‐day interval was maintained between the experimental sessions. Thus, all participantscompleted both exercise interventions, but the order of the interventions was randomized.The walking session was performed on a treadmill for 50 minutes at an individuallyprescribed intensity of 60‐70% of heart rate reserve. Heart rate was continuouslymonitored throughout the session, and treadmill speed was adjusted as necessary tomaintain the target intensity.The Pilates session was performed on a mat using body weight and a Magic Circleaccessory. The session lasted 50 minutes and consisted of 10 exercises involving thetrunk, upper limbs, and lower limbs. Each exercise was performed for one set of 10repetitions, with a one‐minute interval between exercises. Participants were previouslyinstructed and familiarized with the correct execution of the exercises.After each exercise session, ambulatory blood pressure was monitored for 24 hours.Monitoring began at 2:00 PM and included measurements during both waking and sleepingperiods. Participants maintained their usual medication regimen throughout the study andrecorded relevant daily information, including medication use, meals, sleep and waketimes, and stressful events, in an activity diary.Heart rate, perceived exertion, satisfaction, and affective responses were also assessedduring the exercise sessions to characterize the physiological and subjective responsesto the two exercise modalities.The study was conducted in accordance with ethical principles for research involvinghuman participants and received approval from the Research Ethics Committee under opinionnumber 4.170.827. All participants provided informed consent before participation.