BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to examine the differences in anthropometric measurements using an aerobic and Pilates exercise program which lasted 24 weeks.MethodThis was a clinical intervention study of 303 women over the age of 60 living in Novi Sad, Serbia. Changes in body mass index and skinfold thickness were estimated through height, weight, and anthropometric measurements. The program comprised Pilates exercises for upper- and lower-body strength, agility, and aerobic capacity.ResultsFat mass (FM) improved significantly (pre-test, 32.89%, 8.65; post-test, 28.25%, 6.58; P<0.01). Bone diameters and muscle perimeters showed no significant changes pre- and post-test (P>0.05), but there was a higher correlation between FM (%) and waist–hip ratio (rho, 0.80; P<0.01).ConclusionA mixed program of aerobics and Pilates, controls and improves baseline muscle mass and decreases FM values, without causing deterioration during practice and follow-up exercises.

Background: Obesity is a well known risk factor for the development of metabolic abnormalities. However, some obese people are healthy and on the other hand some people with normal weight have adverse metabolic profile, therefore it can be assumed that there is a difference in physical characteristics amongst these people. The aim of this study was to establish whether there are somatotype differences between metabolically healthy and metabolically obese women who are obese or of normal weight. Subjects and methods: Study included 230 women aged 44.76 ± 11.21y. Metabolic status was assessed according to IDF criteria, while somatotype was obtained using Heath & Carter method. Results: Significant somatotype differences were observed in the group of women with normal-weight: metabolically healthy women had significantly lower endomorphy, mesomorphy and higher ectomorphy compared to metabolically obese normal-weight women (5.84-3.97-2.21 vs. 8.69-6.47-0.65). Metabolically healthy obese women had lower values of endomorphy and mesomorphy and higher values of ectomorphy compared to 'at risk' obese women but the differences were not statistically significant (7.59-5.76-0.63 vs. 8.51-6.58-0.5). Ectomorphy was shown as an important determinant of the favorable metabolic profile (cutoff point was 0.80). Conclusion: We concluded that, in addition to fat mass, metabolic profile could be predicted by the structure of lean body mass, and in particular by body linearity. Arch Endocrinol Metab. 2016;60(1):60-5

Introduction: Physical exercise such as the Pilates method offers clinical benefits on the aging process. Likewise, physiologic parameters may be improved through aerobic exercise. Methods: In order to compare the differences of a Pilates-Aerobic intervention program on physiologic parameters such as the maximum heart rate (HRmax), relative maximal oxygen consumption (relative VO2max) and absolute (absolute VOmax), maximum heart rate during maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max-HRmax), maximum minute volume (VE) and forced vital capacity (FVC), a total of 64 adult women (active group = 48.1 ± 6.7 years; control group = 47.2 ± 7.4 years) participated in the study. The physiological parameters, the maximal speed and total duration of test were measured by maximum exercise capacity testing through Bruce protocol. The HRmax was calculated by a cardio-ergometric software. Pulmonary function tests, maximal speed and total time during the physical test were performed in a treadmill (Medisoft, model 870c). Likewise, the spirometry analyzed the impact on oxygen uptake parameters, including FVC and VE. Results: The VO2max (relative and absolute), VE (all, P<0.001), VO2max-HRmax (P<0.05) and maximal speed of treadmill test (P<0.001) showed significant difference in the active group after a physical exercise interventional program. Conclusion: The present study indicates that the Pilates exercises through a continuous training program might significantly improve the cardiovascular system. Hence, mixing strength and aerobic exercises into a training program is considered the optimal mechanism for healthy aging.

SUMMARY: Physical exercise has a positive influence on bone tissue and therefore, is recommended in order to prevent the bone mass loss during the aging process. Similarly, normally practice of exercise potentially prevents the incidence of osteoporosis and bone fractures in adult women. In order to evaluate the differences of a Pilates-Interventional Program on parameters of bone density (right and left calcaneus) for six months, a total of 22 women (48.18±9.59) participated in the study. Bone mineral density (BMD) was estimated by the broadband ultrasonic attenuation (BUA) and the speed of sound signals (SOS), through "Sahara" sound device. The BUA showed significant difference in the right and the left leg (both, P< 0.01), the SOS of the right leg (P<0.05), whereas the BMD was not proved to be statistically significant at the end of the treatment. In conclusion, the bone mineral density by BUA increased, while the speed of sound of the right leg decreased. Thus, our findings might imply a better level of bone strength after a specific intervention focused on the Pilates method.

There were significant differences between soccer players and control group as regards fat mass and bone mineral density (p<.01). Besides, significant differences were determined between a group of swimmers and control group as regads fat mass (p<.03), while the differences in bone mineral density were not very obvious (p<.67).

The programmes of prevention and control of cardiovascular diseases should decrease the influence of risk factors and improve diagnostics and therapy of cardiovascular diseases.

The waist-to-stature ratio is the best anthropometric indicator of cardiovascular and diabetes risk.

RESUMEN:Las personas adultas y mayores deben mejorar su bienestar físico para evitar enfermedades derivadas del envejecimiento. La edad está íntimamente relacionada directamente con el aumento de la masa grasa y peso e inversamente con la talla de las personas. Este estudio muestra las características antropométricas previas a un programa educativo de Pilates y Aeróbica. Doscientas cinco mujeres de la ciudad de Novi Sad (Serbia) con edades comprendidas entre los 40 y 76 años han participado voluntariamente. Los resultados obtenidos muestran que la edad se relaciona con el peso, masa grasa, IMC y talla (p<0,01). Además, las mujeres con un IMC mayor de 25 kg/m 2 , poseen valores mayores en las mediciones antropométricas, masa grasa y talla (p<0,01). Por último, a medida que aumenta la edad (en intervalos de 10 años), la talla disminuye y la masa grasa aumenta (p<0,05).PALABRAS CLAVE: Antropometría; Personas adultas; Mayores; Grasa; Pilates. INTRODUCCIÓNLa actividad física en general, así como diversas especialidades que resultan más motivantes, como el Pilates (Ruiz-Montero & Petrovic, 2013;Palop Montoro, 2009), en personas mayores puede evitar y/o mejorar posibles limitaciones y discapacidad funcional-motriz que van apareciendo con la edad (Tercedor, 2001). El límite máximo de capacidad funcional es el que inicia la vida adulta. A partir de ahí, comienza un descenso de esta capacidad que es característico del envejecimiento (Castillo, 2009). Además, se puede encontrar mayores activos que tienen mejores registros antropométricos y fisiológicos que mayores sedentarios, confirmando esto las teorías sobre un envejecimiento activo y éxitos (Díaz et al., 2011).Existen, por tanto, diversos beneficios de la actividad física regular y evidencia científica en relación a éstos. A nivel individual, entre los beneficios que pueden mejorar, se encuentran, la resistencia cardiorrespiratoria, la fuerza muscular, la densidad ósea, la composición corporal y los biomarcadores metabólicos y cardiovasculares (WHO, 2010).En los países desarrollados, el número de personas mayores ha aumentado considerablemente en los últimos años. El proceso de envejecimiento lleva consigo diversos cambios, que la actividad física puede ralentizar. Estos cambios pueden producir el desarrollo de enfermedades como la obesidad, sarcopenia y osteoporosis, que se encuentran íntimamente relacionadas con la pérdida de pérdida de masa muscular y ósea, así como la cantidad de fuerza (González et al., 2003). Éstas y otras enfermedades están relacionadas a una disminución de la calidad de vida y como consecuencia, mayor probabilidad de dependencia y aumento de la mortalidad (Gómez-Cabello et al., 2012).Una variación en las mediciones antropométricas (mayor perímetro muscular y/o menor pliegue subcutá-neo) supone el primer escalón de la mejora de la calidad de vida de la persona. De ahí que, las personas mayores entrenadas posean valores inferiores de masa grasa que, personas no entrenadas, de una misma edad (González et al.).