The Effects of Selected Pilates Exercises on Muscle Strength, Balance and HbA1c in Female Patients with Diabetes Type 2

Diabetes is associated with disorders in different body organs and its consequences are considerable. Pilates is a beneficial way to manage this disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of selected Pilates exercises on muscle strength, balance and HbA1c in patients with diabetes type 2. 30 diabetic female patients (age range: 30-45) were randomly divided into experimental and control groups. The experimental group performed 8 weeks of Pilates exercises. Strength was measured by dynamometer set, static and dynamic balance by OSLR and TUG tests and HbA1c by HbA1c test before and after 8 weeks. For data analysis, covariance analysis test was used. The findings showed that muscle strength, static balance and HbA1c significantly improved in experimental group after 8 weeks but no significant changes were observed in control group (P≤0.05). Also, the findings showed no significant changes in dynamic balance in both groups (P≤0.05). This study showed that the Pilates exercises can be used as a beneficial complementary treatment method for these patients.