The Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility

The Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility

The Effect of Pilates Training on Serum Irisin Levels and Lipid Profile in Women with Type 2 Diabetes

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Azam Talebi Najafabadi 1
Elham Eftekhari Ghinani 2
Jamshid Banaei Borujeni 2
Saeed Keshavarz 2
1 PhD Student, Department of Sport Sciences, Na.C., Islamic Azad University, Najafabad, Iran.
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Sport Sciences, Na.C., Islamic Azad University, Najafabad, Iran.
10.22038/ijogi.2025.89630.6492
Abstract
Introduction: Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disorder characterized by insufficient insulin secretion and reduced cellular sensitivity to insulin, leading to elevated blood glucose levels. This study was conducted with aim to investigate the effects of 12 weeks of Pilates training on serum irisin levels and lipid profile in women with type 2 diabetes.
Methods: This randomized clinical trial was conducted in 2023 on 30 women aged 35–55 years with type 2 diabetes in Isfahan, Iran. Participants were randomly assigned to either an experimental or a control group. The experimental group performed progressive Pilates exercises for 12 weeks, three sessions per week, each lasting 50 minutes, while the control group continued their routine lifestyle. Blood samples were collected before and after the intervention to measure irisin levels and lipid profile. Data analysis was performed using SPSS statistical software (version 25) and analysis of covariance and Shapiro-Wilk tests. P<0.05 was considered significant.
Results: According to the results of the study, 12 weeks of Pilates training increased serum irisin levels (p=0.001), decreased cholesterol (p=0.001), triglycerides (p=0.001), and LDL (p=0.001), and increased HDL (p=0.001) in women with type 2 diabetes.
Conclusion: Pilates training can improve serum irisin levels and lipid profile; therefore, it may be an effective therapeutic approach for women with type 2 diabetes.
Keywords
Irisin
Lipid Profile
Pilates
Type 2 Diabetes
Women
Subjects
  1. Low CY, Gan WL, Lai SJ, Tam RS, Tan JF, Dietl S, et al. Critical updates on oral insulin drug delivery systems for type 2 diabetes mellitus. Journal of Nanobiotechnology 2025; 23(1):16.
  2. Poon ET, Li HY, Kong AP, Little JP. Efficacy of high‐intensity interval training in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus: An umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta‐analyses. Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism 2025; 27(4):1719-34.
  3. Kindlovits R, Sousa AC, Viana JL, Milheiro J, Oliveira BM, Marques F, et al. Evaluating the therapeutic potential of exercise in hypoxia and low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet in managing hypertension in elderly type 2 diabetes patients: a novel intervention approach. Nutrients 2025; 17(3):522.
  4. Aminov E, Folan P, Pisconti A. Linking Circulating Irisin and Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis. JCSM Communications 2025; 8(1):e70000.
  5. Mohammed SN, Jasim MH, Mahmood SH, Saleh EN, Hashemzadeh A. The role of irisin in exercise-induced muscle and metabolic health: a narrative review. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Archives of Pharmacology 2025: 1-29.
  6. Ruiz-Ariza B, Hita-Contreras F, Aibar-Almazán A, Carcelén-Fraile MD, Castellote-Caballero Y. A Pilates Exercise Program as a Therapeutic Strategy in Older Adults with Type 2 Diabetes: Effects on Functional Capacity and Blood Glucose. InHealthcare 2025; 13(9):1012).
  7. Torabi A, Reisi J, Kargarfard M, Mansourian M. Differences in the impact of various types of exercise on irisin levels: a systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Preventive Medicine 2024; 15:11.
  8. Amini Najafabadi B, Keshavarz S, Asgary S. The 8-week aerobic exercise improves blood sugar، HbA1c and lipid profile in women with type 2 diabetes: A Controlled Randomized Clinical Trial. Jorjani Biomedicine Journal 2020; 8(3):44-57.
  9. Akhtegan S, Atashak S, Bonab RR. The changes of some total antioxidant capacity and lipid peroxidation markers following the combined with high intensity interval training in sedentary postmenopausal women. Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility 2022; 24(13):70-9.
  10. Khosravi A, Keshvari M, Tahramuzi MA. The effect of eight weeks pilates training on plasma irisin levels and anthropometric parameters in overweight women. Medical Journal of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences 2019; 41(2):38-46.
  11. Rahimi M, Nazarali P, Alizadeh R. Pilates and TRX training methods can improve insulin resistance in overweight women by increasing an exercise-hormone, Irisin. Journal of Diabetes & Metabolic Disorders 2021; 20(2):1455-60.
  12. Jandova T, Buendia-Romero A, Polanska H, Hola V, Rihova M, Vetrovsky T, et al. Long-term effect of exercise on Irisin blood levels—systematic review and meta-analysis. InHealthcare 2021; 9(11):1438).
  13. Wang J, Jia D, Zhang Z, Wang D. Exerkines and sarcopenia: unveiling the mechanism behind exercise-induced mitochondrial homeostasis. Metabolites 2025; 15(1):59.
  14. Enteshary M, Esfarjani F, Reisi J. The Comparison of 8 week combined training with two different intensity on level of serum irisin, and glycemic indices of type 2 diabetic women. Medical Journal of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences 2018; 61(2):971-984.
  15. Minuti A, Raffaele I, Scuruchi M, Lui M, Muscarà C, Calabrò M. Role and functions of irisin: a perspective on recent developments and neurodegenerative diseases. Antioxidants 2025; 14(5):554.
  16. Nesreen G, Yasmin M, Hakem M, Sally A. Effect of pilates exercise on cardio metabolic risk factors in women with type 2 diabetes. The Medical Journal of Cairo University 2019; 87(March):851-.
  17. Berkovic MC, Cigrovski V, Ruzic L. Role of irisin in physical activity, sarcopenia-associated type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular complications. World journal of methodology 2025; 15(4):105462.
  18. Li Y, Song X, Dai L, Wang Y, Luo Q, Lei L, et al. Mechanism of action of exercise regulating intestinal microflora to improve spontaneous hypertension in rats. Biomolecules and Biomedicine 2025; 25(3):648.
  19. Lee J, Kang M, Park Y. Exercise Training Enhances Brachial Artery Endothelial Function, Possibly via Improved HDL-C, not LDL-C and TG, in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. American Journal of Cardiovascular Drugs 2025; 25(3):399-410.
The Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility
Volume 28, Issue 6
August 2025
Pages 27-35