Psychological and Biochemical Effects of an Online Pilates Intervention in Pregnant Women during COVID-19: A Randomized Pilot Study

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of real-time online Pilates exercise during COVID-19 on women’s body composition, blood lipids, and psychological health after childbirth. The participants were 16 pregnant women (24–28 weeks pregnant) enrolled at the C Women’s Culture Center in Seoul, South Korea, classified into online Pilates groups and non-exercise groups (PE, n = 8; CON, n = 8). The online Pilates program was conducted for 8 weeks, twice a week, and 50 min a day using a real-time video chat app. Participants visited the hospital twice for body composition and blood tests. Questionnaires on postpartum depression, sleep disorder, and stress were conducted at 6 weeks and 12 weeks after childbirth. We found a significant difference between groups in body composition. The weight, percentage of body fat, body fat mass, and BMI of the PE group decreased. Blood lipids showed significant differences between the groups in TC, TG, LDL and CRP, while insulin and HDL showed no difference. All blood lipids, insulin, and CRP in the PE group were reduced. There were significant differences between the groups in postpartum depression, sleep disorders, and perceived stress indices performed in the post-test, and the serotonin concentration in the PE group increased. Serotonin levels were significantly correlated with postpartum depression, body fat mass, and body fat rate. Pregnant women’s online Pilates in this study was effective at reducing weight and depression in women after childbirth and should be used to promote women’s mental health during COVID-19.

The Impact of Inactivity During the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Physical Performance of High School Athletes

“…The necessity of regular exercise, emphasized by existing studies, becomes particularly pertinent in light of our ndings. Despite pandemic-related challenges, the signi cance of engaging in home-based exercises such as yoga, pilates, and aerobics cannot be overstated in countering the effects of prolonged inactivity [19,24,25]. The observed post-pandemic decrease in physical activity rates, coupled with our research outcomes, underscores the urgent need for specialized interventions that foster physical activity and nutritional well-being during periods marked by signi cant restrictions [17,21,23].…”

Contactless exercise intervention in prenatal and postnatal period during COVID-19 lowers the risk of postpartum depression

“…Psychological factors in pregnant and postpartum women are highly correlated with PPD, and the COVID-19 environment has a higher risk of developing depression in young or pregnant women than in men [35,36] . Kim & Hyun (2022) suggested that online exercise is helpful for the psychological stability of motherhood [24] . However, to date, most studies on online exercises have been conducted on women after childbirth [37][38][39] .…”

“…Only a few studies are available on online exercise in pregnant women during COVID-19; Ramachandra [19,22] found that tele-physical therapy in 29 weeks pregnant women with severe pelvic girdle pain reduced back pain, [22] , and Pilates, with the help of a real-time video chat application, reduced back pain and pelvic pain in women after childbirth [23] . In addition, postpartum online Pilates was effective in preventing PPD and diet effects [24] . These results suggest that prenatal and postpartum exercises are effective in preventing depression, regardless of the form (face-toface or non-face-to-face).…”

The Research Progress in Postpartum Depression in the Context of COVID-19

“…conventional treatment in addition to a 1-day interactive workshop including teaching and group discussion, and for 201 patients (control group) conventional treatment only, the results showed a more significant decrease in EPDS scores in the intervention group compared to the control group, with 87% of those who attended the workshop expressing great satisfaction and 89% saying they would recommend it to other friends. There are also exercise therapies that have good results, such as walking [35] and Pilates [36].…”