Heart Rate Variability and Respiratory Muscle Strength in Patients With Type II Diabetes Practicing Pilates: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Purpose: This study aimed to analyze the effect of a Pilates protocol on respiratory muscle strength and heart rate variability (HRV) in patients with type 2 diabetes. Method: A randomized clinical trial (RBR-2gc2qj) was conducted on a type 2 diabetic target population. Patients practiced the Pilates protocol for 8 weeks, with two visits per week. The variables tested were maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP), maximum expiratory pressure (MEP), and HRV (time and frequency domains). All variables were tested for normal distribution. Using SPSS 21.0, analysis of variance was performed for variables with normal distribution, and the Wilcoxon and Friedman tests were used for variables that did not show a normal distribution, with a 5% significance level. Results: Forty-four participants were included in the study (intervention group: 22; control group: 22; mean age: 61.23 ± 8.49 years), most of whom were female (77.3%), married or in a consensual union (59.1%), had complete literacy (31.8%), and had an average body mass index of 26.96 ± 4.35 kg/m2. There were no significant differences in MIP and MEP before and after the protocol between the intervention and control groups. Regarding HRV, there were significant differences in autonomic modulation, especially between the moments before and during exercise and between the moments during and after exercise; however, it was not possible to determine which system (sympathetic or parasympathetic) is most involved in these changes. Conclusion: The exercise protocol based on the Pilates method did not alter respiratory muscle strength but promoted changes in HRV, especially between the moments before and during exercise and during and after exercise. Clinical Trial Registration Number: RBR-2gc2qj.