Changes in Plasma Visfatin and Insulin Resistance Index in Obese Women with Type 2 Diabetes after Pilates Exercise

Visfatin is a newly characterized adipocytokine with an insulin-like effect which may play a role in decreasing diabetes. Visfatin level can be influenced by exercises like Pilates. The aims of this study were to assess the changes in plasma level of Visfatin and insulin resistance index in obese women with type 2 diabetes after eight weeks of Pilates exercise.
This semi-experimental study was done in the year 2015. 20 obese women with type 2 diabetes (age 52.15±2.60 yr, body mass index 33.85±2.46 kg/m2) were randomly divided into experimental (10 individuals) and control (10 individuals) groups. Experimental group performed Pilate’s exercises for 8 weeks and 3 times per week, each session lasting 60 min, while the control group did not do any regular exercise. Body composition, Glucose, insulin, insulin resistance index, Visfatin, and VO2max were measured in two groups before and after eight weeks. Paired andindependent t-test were used for inter-group and intra-group comparisons (significance level p 8 weeks of Pilates exercises significantly reduced weight (p=0.001), fat percentage (p=0.021), glucose (p=0.004), insulin (p=0.002), insulin resistance (p=0.000), Visfatin (p=0.025) while VO2max was increased (p=0.036) in obese women with type 2 diabetes comparing to the control group.
Pilates training decreases plasma Visfatin and insulin resistance in obese women with type 2 diabetes; therefore these exercises can decrease blood sugar and complications of diabetes.