Effects of an Acute Pilates Program under Hypoxic Conditions on Vascular Endothelial Function in Pilates Participants: A Randomized Crossover Trial

Abstract

This study aimed to compare the effects of an acute Pilates program under hypoxic vs. normoxic conditions on the metabolic, cardiac, and vascular functions of the participants. Ten healthy female Pilates experts completed a 50-min tubing Pilates program under normoxic conditions (N trial) and under 3000 m (inspired oxygen fraction = 14.5%) hypobaric hypoxia conditions (H trial) after a 30-min exposure in the respective environments on different days. Blood pressure, branchial ankle pulse wave velocity, and flow-mediated dilation (FMD) in the branchial artery were measured before and after the exercise. Metabolic parameters and cardiac function were assessed every minute during the exercise. Both trials showed a significant increase in FMD; however, the increase in FMD was significantly higher after the H trial than that after the N trial. Furthermore, FMD before exercise was significantly higher in the H trial than in the N trial. In terms of metabolic parameters, minute ventilation, carbon dioxide excretion, respiratory exchange ratio, and carbohydrate oxidation were significantly higher but fat oxidation was lower during the H trial than during the N trial. In terms of cardiac function, heart rate was significantly increased during the H trial than during the N trial. Our results suggested that, compared to that under normoxic conditions, Pilates exercise under hypoxic conditions led to greater metabolic and cardiac responses and also elicited an additive effect on vascular endothelial function.

Hypoxic Pilates Intervention for Obesity: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Pilates, a series of exercise modalities comprising approximately 500 movements inspired by beauty gymnastics, yoga, and ballet, characteristically activates muscles based on the overall perception of the human body by emphasizing control, breathing, flow, accuracy, and concentration [ 7 , 10 ]. Pilates can be performed in a variety of methods and using numerous tools (mat, props, gym ball, foam baller, band, and pillar ring); however, Pilates using a tubing band has the advantage of minimizing the possibility of injury to the joints and muscles and ability to adjust the exercise intensity freely according to ones’ muscle strength and physical fitness [ 10 , 11 ]. However, Pilates is known to have little effect on the metabolic, cardiopulmonary, and vascular functions owing to an exercise load lower than that of MICT [ 10 , 12 ].…”

“…Pilates can be performed in a variety of methods and using numerous tools (mat, props, gym ball, foam baller, band, and pillar ring); however, Pilates using a tubing band has the advantage of minimizing the possibility of injury to the joints and muscles and ability to adjust the exercise intensity freely according to ones’ muscle strength and physical fitness [ 10 , 11 ]. However, Pilates is known to have little effect on the metabolic, cardiopulmonary, and vascular functions owing to an exercise load lower than that of MICT [ 10 , 12 ].…”

“…Recently, hypoxic exercise, a novel treatment method for obesity, is being widely used to achieve greater metabolic, cardiopulmonary, vascular, and hemorheological functions and lower the mechanical load during physical activity [ 6 , 13 , 14 ]. Exercise under hypoxia imposes less stress on the locomotor system, while resulting in similar physiological stress [ 1 , 6 , 10 ]. It induces an increase in the metabolic rate with enhanced carbohydrate oxidation, an additive effect on vascular endothelial function through increased secretion of various vasodilators and vascular endothelial growth factor, leading to the enhancement of metabolic function, cardiac function, arterial compliance, vasodilation, and microcirculation [ 1 , 10 , 13 , 15 ].…”

“…Exercise under hypoxia imposes less stress on the locomotor system, while resulting in similar physiological stress [ 1 , 6 , 10 ]. It induces an increase in the metabolic rate with enhanced carbohydrate oxidation, an additive effect on vascular endothelial function through increased secretion of various vasodilators and vascular endothelial growth factor, leading to the enhancement of metabolic function, cardiac function, arterial compliance, vasodilation, and microcirculation [ 1 , 10 , 13 , 15 ]. Hence, sustained exercise under hypoxia might be a promising physical activity modality for successful prevention and treatment of obesity and obesity-related diseases.…”

“…However, no study has examined the effects of chronic Pilates intervention under hypoxia on health-related function in a population with obesity. Jung et al [ 10 ] verified that acute Pilates training under moderate hypoxic conditions leads to a greater cardiometabolic response and an additive effect on vascular endothelial function than those under normoxic conditions in subjects with Pilates experience. However, although this study proved the acute effect of Pilates under hypoxia in healthy subjects, it is different from chronic intervention in subjects with obesity.…”