Effect of mat pilates exercise on musculoskeletal system, body composition and psychosocial status in healthcare providers

ABSTRACT EFFECT OF MAT PILATES EXERCISE ON MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM, BODY COMPOSITION AND PSYCHOSOCIAL STATUS IN HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS The aim of this study is to investigate Mat Pilates exercise on the musculoskeletal system (flexibility and environment), body composition and psychosocial status (quality of life/SF-36 The Short Form Health Survey, Fatigue Severity Scale, sleep quality/Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index, mood disorder/Beck Depression Inventory). Participants were randomly divided into two groups as Mat-Pilates Group (n=16) and Control Group (n=16). Mat-Pilates Group participants were given Mat Pilates exercise for about 1 hour per day, twice a week for 8 weeks, accompanied by a physiotherapist. Control Group participants did not participate in any exercise program. A significant increase was observed in all flexibility parameters in the Mat-Pilates Group compared to the Control Group (p<0.01). There was a statistically significant increase in the Mat-Pilates Group compared to the Control group in all dimensions except for emotional role functioning and vitality in the sub-dimensions of quality of life (p<0.05). Significant results were found in favor of the Mat-Pilates Group in all parameters except body composition measurements, fat mass and lean body mass (p<0.01). In all values of circumference measurements, fatigue severity and mood disorder measurements were significant in favor of the Mat-Pilates Group (p<0.01). There was no difference in sleep quality between the groups (p>0.05). As a result, it was demonstrated that Mat-Pilates exercises applied for 8 weeks had positive effects on flexibility, anthropometric measurements, body compositions, the severity of fatigue, mood disorder, quality of life and sleep quality in healthcare providers. Key Words: Mat Pilates, flexibility, fatigue severity, sleep quality, healthcare providers