Effect of 12 weeks of Pilates Training on the Serum Levels of Interleukin-6, C - reactive protein and Tumor Nerosis Factor-α in Inactive Overweight Women

Background: Increasing inflammatory markers of CRP, TNF-α and IL-6 leads to increasing cardiovascular disease. Change in lifestyle represents a successful strategy to prevent cardiovascular disease. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of 12 weeks of Pilates training on serum levels of IL-6, CRP and TNF-α in inactive overweight women.

Methods: In this quasi-experimental study 28 volunteer overweight women (with average BMI of 27.2, 1.1± kg/m2) participated. They were randomly divided into training group (n=14) and control group (n=14). Pilates exercise training was performed during 12 weeks (3 sessions per week, 60 min per session). Blood samples were collected in two stages, 48 hours before and 48 hours after the last exercise after 12-14 hours fasting status. During the 12 weeks, the control group had no exercise training.

Results: In within group comparsion, only serum levels of CRP in the training group was significantly decreased (P=0.048) and in between group comparsion there were no significant difference in serum levels of CRP, TNF-α and IL-6 in training group compare to control group (P>0.05).

Conclusion: However, from statistical point of view there was no significant difference between the two groups. It can be said that the implementation of Pilates training can have beneficial effects on serum levels of some inflammatory markers in this way reduced CRP in inactive women with overweight. Lowering serum CRP levels is with reducing body fat and improving body composition. So physical activity can be considered as an essential part of the lifestyle of adults.