Ruiz-Ariza Beatriz, Hita-Contreras Fidel, Aibar-Almazán Agustín, Carcelén-Fraile María Del Carmen, Castellote-Caballero Yolanda
Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Jaén, 23071 Jaén, Spain.
Department of Educational Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Atlántico Medio, 35017 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain.
Healthcare (Basel). 2025 Apr 28;13(9):1012. doi: 10.3390/healthcare13091012.
Older adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) often experience impaired physical function and metabolic control. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a 12-week Pilates-based intervention on blood glucose concentration and physical function in this population. A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 104 older adults (mean age: 70.6 ± 3.15 years; 70.2% women), all diagnosed with T2DM. The participants were assigned to a control group (CG, n = 52) or a Pilates training group (PG, n = 52). The intervention included 24 Pilates sessions over 12 weeks (2 sessions/week, 60 min each). Outcomes were assessed pre- and post-intervention and included capillary blood glucose, handgrip strength, functional mobility (Timed Up and Go), balance (Berg Balance Scale), and flexibility (Chair Sit-and-Reach Test and Back Scratch Test). Compared to the control group, the Pilates group showed statistically significant improvements in blood glucose levels (-4.06 mg/dL ( < 0.001; d = 0.68)), handgrip strength (+1.76 kg ( < 0.001; d = 0.48)), gait speed ( < 0.001; d = 0.53), balance (Berg score) (+2.37 points ( < 0.001; d = 0.66)), and flexibility (improvements in upper limbs (BST, d = 0.78-0.98) and lower limbs (CSRT, d = 1.07 right; d = 0.63 left)). A 12-week Pilates program led to significant improvements in glycemic control, muscular strength, gait speed, balance, and flexibility in older adults with T2DM. These findings support Pilates as a safe, effective, and adaptable non-pharmacological intervention to promote functional and metabolic health in this population.
2型糖尿病（T2DM）老年患者常出现身体功能受损和代谢控制不佳的情况。本研究旨在评估一项为期12周的普拉提干预措施对该人群血糖浓度和身体功能的有效性。对104名均被诊断为T2DM的老年人（平均年龄：70.6±3.15岁；女性占70.2%）进行了一项随机对照试验。参与者被分为对照组（CG，n = 52）或普拉提训练组（PG，n = 52）。干预措施包括在12周内进行24次普拉提课程（每周2次，每次60分钟）。在干预前后对各项指标进行评估，包括毛细血管血糖、握力、功能性活动能力（计时起立行走测试）、平衡能力（伯格平衡量表）和柔韧性（椅子坐立前屈测试和背部抓挠测试）。与对照组相比，普拉提组在血糖水平（-4.06mg/dL（P<0.001；d = 0.68））、握力（+1.76kg（P<0.001；d = 0.48））、步速（P<0.001；d = 0.53）、平衡能力（伯格评分）（+2.37分（P<0.001；d = 0.66））和柔韧性（上肢（背部抓挠测试，d = 0.78 - 0.98）和下肢（椅子坐立前屈测试，右侧d = 1.07；左侧d = 0.63）均有显著改善。一项为期12周的普拉提计划使T2DM老年患者的血糖控制、肌肉力量、步速、平衡能力和柔韧性得到了显著改善。这些研究结果支持将普拉提作为一种安全、有效且适应性强的非药物干预措施，以促进该人群的功能和代谢健康。
