Efectos de un programa de 16 semanas de pilates mat sobre las variables antropométricas y la composición corporal en mujeres adultas activas tras un corto proceso de desentrenamiento

Abstract

Introduction: previous studies have analysed the effect of mat Pilates practice on anthropometric variables and body composition in sedentaries. To date no researchs have investigated the benefits of Pilates on these variables after a short detraining period. Objetive: to determine the effect of a 16-week mat Pilates program on anthropometric variables, body composition and somatotype of women with previous practice experience after three weeks of detraining period. Method: twenty-one women underwent a complete anthropometric assessment according with ISAK guidelines before and after a 16 week mat Pilates® program (two days, one hour). All women had one to three years of mat Pilates experience and came to three weeks of detraining period (Christmas holiday). Results and discussion: women showed significant decreases for body mass, BMI, upper limb (biceps and triceps) and trunk (subscapular, iliac crest, supraspinale and abdominal) individual skinfolds, 6 and 8 skinfold sums, endomorphy and fat mass; and a significant increases for muscle mass. The mean somatotype was classified as mesomorphic endomorph in the pre- (4.91, 4.01, 1.47) and post-test (4.68, 4.16, 1.69). Eight women changed their somatotype clasification after the intervention program. Conclusions: the practice of mat Pilates for 16 weeks caused changes associated with health state improvements on anthropometric variables, especially on skin folds which significantly decreased, body composition (fat and muscle masses decreased and increased, respectively) and somatotype (there was a significantly decreased on the endomorph component) in experienced women after three week of detraning.