groups) at the conclusion of the study met target (i.e. recommended)
lipid values, which is another good finding.
Pros: This was a good study despite a couple of basic limitations.
It is evident from this study that performing dynamic exercise such
as Nordic walking could result in significantly better improvements,
to key health indices, compared to performing Pilates.
Cons: Given the popularity of Pilates among younger as well as
older individuals, it would have been interesting to have a subgroup
of younger Pilates participants in the study. It would also have been
beneficial if the researchers had reported the exercise intensity (i.e.
heart rate) of both activities, as participants used heart rate monitors,
although the authors primarily used the M51 monitors to estimate
energy expenditure (this data is also not reported). Additionally,
although only a 10-week exercise program, it would have been
beneficial if the investigators had assessed body composition (i.e.
lean mass and fat mass) as BMI does not take tissue into account,
only weight and height, which is very discriminatory.
There was a second intervention included in this study, in which the
researchers provided all participants with the same diet (total caloric
value 1,500 kcals) which consisted of 60 per cent carbohydrates, 20
per cent fat and 20 per cent protein. Therefore the benefits seen in
this study, particularly with regard to weight loss and subsequently
BMI, is also a reflection of t HY]\