At the beginning of this year 2015, when we propose the theme of each monthly newsletter, We decided to observe the body changes produced in several Pilates students and our teacher Inma Villa.. The objective was to verify if there are significant and positive changes. Ultimately, an increase in muscle mass and a decrease in overall body fat.
Data collection and general lifestyle conditions.

The students and the teacher went to the Nutrition and Dietetics consultation in March to be weighed and check their body composition with our scale, through Bioimpedance. Thanks to this measurement method we were able to control weight variables, overall fat percentage, kg of lean mass and percentage of body hydration.

These data were taken after two hours of fasting and at the same time in the morning or afternoon depending on the availability of each student.. To the 5 months, measurements were repeated under similar fasting conditions and schedule to avoid measurement errors..

In addition to the measures taken, A small questionnaire on eating habits and lifestyle was carried out on each individual to evaluate the influence of these habits on the subsequent evolution of body composition.. All the students and the teacher declared that after the 5 months, Their habits and lifestyle did not change broadly..

With the data collected we see that the variable added in these five months was to increase two hours of pilates per week in students with active lives.. In the case of the teacher, it is not a new variable because she already performed this physical exercise before and more hours per week than the students..

Both students and teachers show some concern about eating habits., with weekend exceptions or specific holiday events. Non-smokers and occasional wine or beer drinkers.

Observed changes in the controlled variables in 5 months.

Las 4 controlled variables at the beginning of the year and at 5 months of the introduction of pilates were weight, % fat, lean mass and % hydration. Below we detail the evolution of each variable.
Total weight: the students and teacher have increased an average of 400 grams of weight.
Body fat percentage: Your body fat has decreased by an average of 1,75% with respect to the beginning.
Kg of lean mass: has increased an average of 1,4 kg in each individual.
Hydration percentage: also increases an average of 1,4 % regarding the beginning.

It must be made clear that this is not a scientific study and we will never be able to ensure that the cause of the body changes is exclusively due to the variable studied.: physical exercise through pilates. But these data allow us to see a small evolution for the better in muscle mass in all students..

Taking into account that the teacher raises the average increase in lean mass and decrease in fat percentage, We can indicate that there is an improvement, even if it is very slight.. The increase in the percentage of hydration occurs due to the improvement in muscle mass, which entails a gain of water for the increased muscle itself..

Regarding the weight, It is a variable that we cannot take into account, It can even lead us to think that evolution is negative because everyone gains weight. Thanks to Bioimpedance we know that that weight gained, In these cases it is something positive.

In conclusion we can say that thanks to the introduction of physical activity on a daily basis we can maintain and slightly improve muscle mass..

As a Dietitian-Nutritionist, indicate, that it will always be better to introduce physical activity hand in hand with a good choice of food and lifestyle, and thus better results will be achieved in muscle gain and fat reduction and as a consequence, significant improvements in physical fitness and general well-being.