Abstract

This narrative review of Pilates exercise research published during 2024 suggests several positive cognitive, psychological, physical, physiological and cardiometabolic effects. Cognitive flexibility has increased, depression has decreased, and quality of life has improved. The most frequently reported physical effects of Pilates exercise have included increased balance, flexibility, muscle strength and physical fitness in general as well as decreased body weight. The most frequently addressed physiological effects have included decreased pain for low back pain, neck pain, labor pain and pain associated with dysmenorrhea and fibromyalgia. Fatigue and sleep problems were also reportedly decreased following Pilates exercises. Only a few studies were focused on cardiometabolic changes including decreased blood pressure, triglycerides, cholesterol, and pro-inflammatory cytokines. The methodological limitations of this literature include the variability in the types of Pilates exercise training, the length of sessions as well as frequency and duration of the exercise protocols. In addition, many of the studies have compared pilates exercise with inactive control groups, resulting in tenuous findings.

Keywords:Cardiometabolic; Pilates exercise; Parkinson’s