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. 2024 May 30:60:68-85.
doi: 10.29390/001c.117966. eCollection 2024.

The effects of adding a six-month Pilates exercise program to three months of traditional community-based pulmonary rehabilitation in individuals with COPD: a prospective cohort study

Marisela Barbosa  1   2 , Cristina A de Melo  3 , Rui Torres  4   5
Affiliations

The effects of adding a six-month Pilates exercise program to three months of traditional community-based pulmonary rehabilitation in individuals with COPD: a prospective cohort study

Marisela Barbosa et al. Can J Respir Ther. .

Abstract

Introduction: Pilates exercise may complement traditional pulmonary rehabilitation in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The objective was to analyze the effects of adding a six-month Pilates exercise program to a three-month pulmonary rehabilitation for individuals with COPD.

Methods: Thirty-five participants with COPD (GOLD B) were assigned to the intervention (n=14) or control (n=21) group. Both groups received an initial three months of a pulmonary rehabilitation program. The intervention group further underwent six months of pilates. Participants were evaluated at baseline and at three, six, and nine months. Lung function and strength of respiratory muscles were defined as primary outcomes. Secondary outcomes included cardiac, physical function, and exacerbation episodes.

Results: There were no consistent statistically significant differences between groups for the lung function outcomes (p\<0.05). Maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressure increased significantly at three months in both groups (p\<0.05). It was significantly superior in the intervention group at nine months for maximal inspiratory pressure (p=0.005) and six and nine months for maximal expiratory pressure (p=0.027 and p\<0.001, respectively). Changes in muscle strength (knee extension and handgrip) were comparable between groups (p>0.05), but exercise-induced fatigue and balance were significantly superior in the intervention group at the six- and nine-month follow-ups (p\<0.05).

Discussion: Pilates exercise programs may be implemented to augment traditional pulmonary rehabilitation with the goal of improving the strength of respiratory muscles.

Conclusion: Adding a Pilates exercise program to pulmonary rehabilitation resulted in superior strength of respiratory muscles, higher resistance to exercise-induced fatigue, and improved balance.

Keywords: COPD; Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease; Dyspnea; Pilates; Pulmonary rehabilitation; Respiratory rehabilitation.

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Conflict of interest statement

All authors have completed the ICMJE uniform disclosure form and declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.. Summary of exercises included in the first three months of the exercise program based on Pilates principles. The first five initial exercises were: (A) Imprinting; (B) One leg stretch; (C) Shoulder bridge; (D) Clam; (E) Saw. The four progression exercises included: (F) Mermaid; (G) Spine stretch forward; (H) Bird dog; (I) Cat stretch.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.. Summary of exercises included in the second 3 months of exercise program based on Pilates principles. The first five initial exercises were: (A) Push up; (B) Swimming; (C) Leg pull prone; (D) Side kick; (E) Criss cross. The four progression exercises included: (F) Scissors; (G) Hip twist; (H) Hundred; (I) Roll up.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.. Flow diagram detailing the inclusion and follow-up of participants.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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