Mat Pilates, belly dance benefit women with breast cancer

In women receiving hormone therapy for breast cancer, both mat Pilates and belly dance can help improve cardiorespiratory fitness and body composition, as shown in a study.

The study included 52 participants. They were randomly assigned to undergo mat Pilates (n=18) or belly dance (n=18) or to maintain their usual activities and attend educational sessions (control; n=16). Participants in the exercise groups trained three times per week over 16 weeks, with each session lasting 60 min.

Outcomes included peak oxygen uptake (V̇O₂peak) assessed using a submaximal cycle ergometer, 6-min walk test (6MWT), perceived exertion, waist circumference, BMI, and fat percentage measured using ultrasound. Evaluations were conducted at baseline, postintervention, and at 6- and 12-month follow-ups.

Compared with the control group, the belly dance group showed a greater improvement in 6MWT (difference, 83.1 m; p=0.016) and lower perceived exertion at 35 W (p=0.019) postintervention. Waist circumference decreased across all groups (p<0.001), with the largest reduction seen in the mat Pilates group (−9.8 cm).

At follow-up, both the mat Pilates and belly dance groups had lower fat percentage relative to baseline (p=0.002) but increased waist circumference (p<0.001). There were no significant changes observed in V̇O₂peak immediately postintervention, but a decline at both 6 and 12 months was seen in the belly dance group (p<0.001).

The sustained reductions in fat percentage, despite some loss of benefits at follow-up, suggest that both mat Pilates and belly dance may be valuable in oncological rehabilitation programmes.