Detraining period of the PILATES method on functional capacity of elderly women with type 2 diabetes: A randomized clinical trial.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to verify the effects of a 4-week detraining period on the functional capacity of elderly women with type-2 diabetes (T2D) after 12 weeks of a PILATES training program.

Methods: Twenty-two individuals with T2D were randomly allocated into two groups: CONTROL (n = 11; 67.5 ± 6.3 years; 154.7 ± 6.1 cm; 73.5 ± 6.1 kg; calorie intake: 1487.5 ± 360.6 kcal/day) and PILATES (n = 11; 65.5 ± 5.5 years; 155.0 ± 4.5 cm; 66.2 ± 5.4 kg; calorie intake: 1289.3 ± 385.0 kcal/day). The PILATES group participated at a 12-week PILATES program at moderate intensity, 3x/week with each session lasting 60-min. The functional capacity was evaluated in the baseline (PRE), after 12-weeks (POST) and 4-week detraining period (4W_DT). The general index of functional capacity (GI) was calculated for all participants.

Results: In the PILATES group there was a reduction in performance (increased test time) for the GI after 4W_DT in relation to POST (p < 0.05), however, GI showing maintenance of performance gain in relation to the PRE (p > 0.05) (PRE: 36.0 ± 5.5 s vs. POST: 27.2 ± 4.0 s vs. 4W_DT: 29.0 ± 4.2 s). The CONTROL group had worse performance than the GI POST (35.3 ± 4.6 s) and 4W_DT (35.4 ± 4.6 s) when compared to the PILATES group (F = 106.967; np2 = 0.842; p < 0.001).

Conclusion: A period of 4W_DT was not able to reduce the functional gains of elderly women with T2D after 12 weeks of PILATES training. These results have a practical application for training professionals, enabling better control and planning of training interruptions on the PILATES method for elderly women with T2D.