Effect of Pilates Exercise Training on Serum Osteocalcin and Parathormone levels in inactive and overweight women

Introduction: Experimental evidence suggests positive effects of physical activity on skeletal mass. Biochemical markers determine the response rate of bone metabolism to physical activity. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Pilates exercise training on serum osteocalcin and parathormone levels in inactive and overweight women. Methods: 28 healthy overweight women participated in this quasi-experimental study. They were randomly divided into two groups: exercise group (n=14) and control group (n=14). Pilates exercise training was performed during 12 weeks (3 sessions per week, 60 min per session). Blood samples of osteocalcin and parathormone were collected in two stages of fasting, 48 hours before and after exercise. The serum levels of osteocalcin and patathormone was measured by the ELISA method. For analyzing within-group data and between-group data paired t-test and ANCOVA test were performed, respectively. Results: Post-test data showed a significant increase in osteocalcin (P=0.017) and parathormone levels (P=0.015) compared to pre-test data. But in between group comparison, only a significant increase in the amount of osteocalcin in exercise training compare to control group was observed (P=0.03). Conclusion: Based on the results, three months of Pilates exercise training program can change some biochemical markers levels of bone metabolism in inactive and overweight women. In this regard, Pilates exercise may reflect some mechanisms involved in the positive effect of physical activity on bone mass.