Eight weeks of Pilates Method improves physical fitness and sleep quality of individuals with post-COVID-19 syndrome: A randomized clinical trial blinded

Objectives

To evaluate the impact of eight weeks of Pilates Method on physical fitness and sleep quality of individuals with post-COVID-19 syndrome.

Methods

Randomized clinical trial blinded conducted with fifty-nine individuals with post-COVID-19 syndrome. The participants were randomly allocated to the Pilates group (PG; n = 20), supervised physical exercise group (SPEG; n = 20) and control group (CG; n = 19). The intervention occurred twice a week for eight weeks in a total of 16 sessions. The primary outcome was distance covered in the 6-min walk test and the secondary outcomes were the profile of the sample, post-exercise fatigue and sleep quality.

Results

After the intervention, only the PG increased the distance covered in the 6-min walk test (p < 0.001; d = 0.762) and reduced the score on the modified BORG scale after exercise (p < 0.010; d = −0.835) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (p < 0.005; d = −0.699). Furthermore, the PG covered a greater distance compared to the SPEG in the 6-min walk test [95%CI (26.129–179.770); p < 0.010; d = 1.021] and exhibited a greater reduction in fatigue levels compared to the CG [95%CI (−2.352 to −0.162); p < 0.050; d = 0.919].

Conclusion

Eight weeks of Pilates Method improve the physical fitness and sleep quality of individuals with post-COVID-19 syndrome.