A influência do método pilates em mulheres no pós-menopausa: revisão de literatura

The influence of the Pilates method on postmenopausal women: literature review

Abstract

Climacteric is a natural phase in a woman's life with changes related to the senescence process, such as thinning of the vaginal tissues, vasomotor instability, sleep-related problems, and vaginal dryness. In this sense, Pilates has been shown to be an ally to this public in maintaining physical integrity, through muscle strengthening. To explore the other effects of the method, the objective was to identify the influence on the quality of life of postmenopausal women. The study consisted of an integrative literature review in six steps, using the Virtual Health Library (VHL), Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciElo), PubMed/MEDLINE and ScienceDirect databases, using the descriptors: “Pilates” and “Postmenopause” in English and Portuguese. Studies in English and Portuguese, published from 2011 to 2020, were included, and other reviews, theses, dissertations, course completion papers, simple and expanded abstracts, guidelines and case reports were excluded. 09 articles were selected. The incipience of studies aimed at investigating the association between Pilates and Postmenopause was noted, explained by the small amount of compiled research and small samples adopted. Despite this, Pilates showed effectiveness in the physical and cognitive sphere and effects in the short and long term, being easy to adapt even among women with mobility limitations. It was concluded that Pilates is a good ally for maintaining autonomy throughout the Postmenopause and improving the quality of life of women who seek health through the method.