Comparison of Mat Pilates training-induced changes on climateric symptoms in hypertensive and normotensive postmenopausal women

Abstract

IntroductionPhysical exercise has been used to improve the physiological, metabolic and psychological factors of women. Objective: the aim of this study was to compare the 12-week Mat Pilates training-induced effect on climacteric symptoms in hypertensive and normotensive, non-obese postmenopausal women. Methods: Forty-seven irregularly active, non-obese postmenopausal women participated in the study: 24 normotensive (58 ± 4 years) and 23 hypertensive (58 ± 4 years). They underwent 36 sessions of Mat Pilates in nonconsecutive days during 12 weeks. Climacteric symptoms were assessed by the Cervantes Scale (CER), Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) and Blatt-Kupperman Menopause Index (B–K). The unpaired t-test compared the clinical characteristics between the groups. For the analysis of the questionnaires, the Spearman correlation and Mann-Whitney U test were used to compare the means between the groups for non-parametric data. The generalized estimates equation (GEE) was used to compare the groups and time to score the three general and domain questionnaires. The significance level adopted was ɑ = 0.05. Results: No difference in the Mat Pilates training-induced changes were found between normotensive and hypertensive women, but there was a significant reduction in the scores of the B–K and MRS and in the percentage of disappearance of symptoms by the B–K after training in both groups. Regarding the CER, there was a reduction in symptoms in the total value and the psychological, menopause and health domains. Conclusion: The presence of hypertension did not change the 12-week Mat Pilates training-induced benefits on the climacteric symptoms of non-obese postmenopausal women.