+Acute blood pressure response after Mat Pilates alone and combined with aerobic exercise.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the response of systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) after one session of the Mat Pilates Method alone (traditional) - (MPA) and a second session of the Mat Pilates Method combined with an aerobic exercise (MP + STEP). The sample consisted of 10 adults, of both sexes, Pilates practitioners. Two MP sessions were performed, using 21 original exercises of the method. Blood pressure (BP) was measured before the beginning of the sessions, after 10 min of rest, immediately after the sessions, and 5 min after the end of the sessions. Statistical analyses were performed using generalized estimating equations, α: 5%. In both sessions, SBP (mmHg) increased immediately after (p < 0.001) and returned to baseline values 5 min post-session (p = 0.181) (MPA-rest: 113.90 ± 3.22, immediately after: 120.70 ± 3.57.5; 5 min after: 117.20 ± 2.12; MP + STEP: rest: 112.80 ± 3.03, immediately after: 119.00 ± 3.00, 5 min after: 114.90 ± 2.09). DBP (mmHg) showed a reduction in both sessions immediately (p = 0.001) and 5 min after the sessions (p = 0.008) (MPA - rest: 71.00 ± 2.98; immediately after: 67.00 ± 3 0.03; 5 min after: 67.70 ± 2.31; MP + STEP - rest: 74.90 ± 2.10, immediately after: 67.10 ± 2.63; 5 min after: 70.00 ± 2.23). It is concluded that, regardless of the association with aerobic exercise, the Mat Pilates method can be performed without significant increases in SBP and with a reduction in DBP.

Effect of elastic resistance training on functional capacity in older adults: a systematic review with meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the effects of Elastic Resistance Training (ERT) on functional capacity (FC) in older adults. METHODS: The databases used were Embase, Virtual Health Library, PubMed, SciElo, Scopus, SPORTS Discus, and Web of Science. Eligibility criteria: aged ≥ 60 years; both sexes; intervention of at least 8 weeks; structured ERT; comparator group that performed other types of training or without any intervention; at least one functional test measurement. Functional tests were grouped according to their specificity for the sub-group meta-analyses. RESULTS: Twenty-six studies were considered eligible for qualitative synthesis, of which 16 were used for quantitative analysis. Favorable effects (p < .001) of ERT compared to the control group without intervention were observed in the 30-second sit to stand test, Timed Up and Go test, arm curl test, handgrip strength test, 6-minute walk test, lower and upper limb flexibility, and Short Physical Performance Battery (p = .007). Comparisons between ERT and other types of training were not performed because of the high heterogeneity of the studies. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that ERT is able to improve the FC of older adults when compared to older adults not involved in any type of training.