Milena Mikalački

24 weeks of Pilates-aerobic and educative training to improve body fat mass in elderly Serbian women

Background The purpose of this study was to examine the differences in anthropometric measurements using an aerobic and Pilates exercise program which lasted 24 weeks. Method This was a clinical intervention study of 303 women over the age of 60 living in Novi Sad, Serbia. Changes in body mass index and skinfold thickness were estimated through height, weight, and anthropometric measurements. The program comprised Pilates exercises for upper- and lower-body strength, agility, and aerobic capacity. Results Fat mass (FM) improved significantly (pre-test, 32.89%, 8.65; post-test, 28.25%, 6.58; P<0.01). Bone diameters and muscle perimeters showed no significant changes pre- and post-test (P>0.05), but there was a higher correlation between FM (%) and waist–hip ratio (rho, 0.80; P<0.01). Conclusion A mixed program of aerobics and Pilates, controls and improves baseline muscle mass and decreases FM values, without causing deterioration during practice and follow-up exercises.

Mediciones Antropométricas en Mujeres Serbias Adultas y Mayores Previo a un Programa Físico y Educativo de Pilates y Aeróbica

Las personas adultas y mayores deben mejorar su bienestar fisico para evitar enfermedades derivadas del envejecimiento. La edad esta intimamente relacionada directamente con el aumento de la masa grasa y peso e inversamente con la talla de las personas. Este estudio muestra las caracteristicas antropometricas previas a un programa educativo de Pilates y Aerobica. Doscientas cinco mujeres de la ciudad de Novi Sad (Serbia) con edades comprendidas entre los 40 y 76 anos han participado voluntariamente. Los resultados obtenidos muestran que la edad se relaciona con el peso, masa grasa, IMC y talla (p<0,01). Ademas, las mujeres con un IMC mayor de 25 kg/m2, poseen valores mayores en las mediciones antropometricas, masa grasa y talla (p<0,01). Por ultimo, a medida que aumenta la edad (en intervalos de 10 anos), la talla disminuye y la masa grasa aumenta (p<0,05).

The effects of a pilates-aerobic program on maximum exercise capacity of adult women

Con el fin de comparar las diferencias de un programa de intervencion con Pilates aerobico en los parametros fisiologicos, como la frecuencia cardiaca maxima (FCmax), consumo maximo de oxigeno relativo (VO2max relativo) y absoluto (VOmax absoluto), la frecuencia cardiaca maxima durante el consumo maximo de oxigeno (VO2max-FCmax), el volumen minuto (VM) maximo (VE) y la capacidad vital forzada (CVF), un total de 64 mujeres adultas (grupo activo = 48,1 ± 6,7 anos; grupo control = 47,2 ± 7,4 anos) participaron en el estudio. Los parametros fisiologicos, la velocidad maxima y la duracion total de la prueba se midieron por la maxima capacidad de ejercicio a traves del protocolo de Bruce. La FCmax se calculo mediante un software cardio-ergometrico. Las pruebas de funcion pulmonar, la velocidad maxima y el tiempo total durante las pruebas fisicas fueron realizados en una cinta de correr (Medisoft, modelo 870C). Asimismo, la espirometria analizo el efecto sobre los parametros de consumo de oxigeno, incluyendo CVF y VM.

Effects of group exercise on functional abilities: Differences between physically active and physically inactive women

BACKGROUND Aerobic exercises to music can have a positive effect on functional and motor skills of an exerciser, their health, as well as an aesthetic and socio-psychological component. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to determine the effects of reactive exercising in a group on functional capabilities in physically active and physically inactive women. METHODS A prospective study included 64 healthy women aged 40-60 years. The sample was divided into the experimental group (N= 36), i.e. physically active women who have been engaged in recreational group exercises at the Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Novi Sad, Serbia, and the control group (N= 28), which consisted of physically inactive women. All the participants were monitored using the same protocol before and after the implementation of the research. All women had their height, weight and body mass index measured as well as their spiroergometric parameters determined according to the Bruce protocol. RESULTS A univariate analysis of variance has shown that there is a statistically significant difference between the experimental group and the control group in maximum speed, the total duration of the test, relative oxygen consumption, absolute oxygen consumption and ventilation during the final measurement. After the training intervention, the experimental group showed improvements in all the parameters analyzed compared with pretest values. CONCLUSION The recreational group exercise model significantly improves aerobic capacity and functioning of the cardiovascular system. Therefore, it is essential for women to be involved more in any form of recreational group exercising in order to improve functional capacity and health.

ANALYSIS OF DIFFERENCES IN BLOOD PRESSURE OF WOMEN BELONGING TO DIFFERENT AGE GROUPS.

INTRODUCTION One of the risk factors for the occurrence of arteriosclerosis and coronary heart diseases is physical inactivity. Together with hypokinesia, excessive feeding, age and other factors, make a multifactorial cause of cardiovascular disease. Positive effects of physical activities have been proved in the primary, secondary and tertiary prevention of coronary heart diseases. MATERIAL AND METHODS This study included 119 women from 20 to 76 years of age. All subjects vere nonsmokers who did not have a cardiovascular disease, and were divided into five different age groups. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure was measured by the digital blood pressure measuring device with cuff OMRON M4-1. The evaluation of blood pressure was performed at the Faculty of Sport and Physical Education in Novi Sad. The data processing was done by the statistical package SPSS 20.0. RESULTS According to the obtained data it can be concluded that there are statistically significant differences in both individual and general system of the observed variables in different age groups. In addition, there are statistically significant differences between pairs of groups, which were observed when comparing with the oldest age group. CONCLUSION The programmes of prevention and control of cardiovascular diseases should decrease the influence of risk factors and improve diagnostics and therapy of cardiovascular diseases.

Anthropometric indicators of mass and distribution of adipose tissue in the assessment of cardiovascular and diabetes risk in women.

INTRODUCTION From the clinical and epidemiological point of view it is very important to define easily measurable and simple anthropometric parameters of mass and distribution of adipose tissue that will also be good predictors of future complications of obesity. The aim of our study was to correlate anthropometric indicators of mass and distribution of adipose tissue with the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study group consisted of 155 women aged 45.4 +/- 13.04y. The anthropometric measurements were performed in order to assess adipose tissue mass and its specific distribution. The 10-year risk of developing cardiovascular diseases was assessed by using two score-systems: Framingham and Prospective Cardiovascular Munster Study while the 10-year risk of development of diabetes was assessed by QDScore system. RESULTS According to our results, the waist-to-stature ratio was the best predictor of cardiovascular and diabetes risk (r = 0.617-0.780; AUC = 0.872). The estimated cut-off value for the waist-to-stature ratio in cardiovascular and diabetes risk prediction was 0.486. Apart from the waist-to-stature ratio, the body mass index, body fat mass, waist circumference and indicators of upper extremity adiposity also correlated strongly with the assessed risk. The anthropometric indicators of lower body adiposity had no significant diagnostic values. CONCLUSION The waist-to-stature ratio is the best anthropometric indicator of cardiovascular and diabetes risk.