Introduction: Osteoporosis is a fundamental problem that is observed more often from the onset of menopause. Considering that the prevalence of osteoporosis and fractures related to it is higher in postmenopausal women than in old men, it is very important to investigate this issue. The main purpose of this research is to investigate the effect of eight weeks of Pilates exercises with and without vitamin D supplementation on body composition and osteoporosis in overweight postmenopausal women.
Methodology: The current research method was semi-experimental with a pre-test and post-test design with a control group. The statistical population of this study included postmenopausal women with an age range (50 to 70 years) and a high body mass index (25 to 29 kg/m2) in the city of Masjid Suleiman, Khuzestan province, with 40 women in three experimental groups and one group were controlled. The first group of 10 people only did Pilates, the second group of 10 people only took vitamin D supplements, the third group of 10 people did Pilates with the supplement and the last group was considered as the control group. The subjects participated in the Pilates exercise program, which included 8 weeks of three sessions of one hour per week, and took vitamin D supplements according to the schedule. Finally, the subjects' body mass index, vitamin D level, and osteoporosis level were determined before and after the activity. To check the results, the statistical method of covariance test was used at the significance level of P≤0.05.
Results: Based on the obtained results, Pilates exercises along with vitamin D supplementation had an effect on the body composition of overweight postmenopausal women and reduced the body mass index of women (P≤0.05)). Pilates exercises combined with vitamin D supplementation had an effect on osteoporosis in overweight postmenopausal women and the rate of osteoporosis in the subjects was reduced (P≤0.05). However, supplement consumption and Pilates exercise alone did not affect the amount of body mass index and osteoporosis (P≤0.05).
Conclusion: According to the results obtained from this research, it is possible to suggest Pilates exercises along with vitamin D supplementation to overweight postmenopausal women to improve body composition and prevent osteoporosis. The main goal of osteoporosis treatment is to prevent fractures. To achieve this goal, bone loss must be stopped or reduced. Although several alternative medical treatments have been recommended to prevent bone loss or increase bone formation, Pilates exercise and vitamin D supplementation are also emphasized in various treatment guidelines as part of osteoporosis management.