ACUTE EFFECT ON HEART RATE VARIABILITY IN DRUG ADDICTION PATIENTS AFTER A SOLO PILATES SESSION

Abstract

Alcohol/drug use disorders and other mental health conditions are closely interconnected, and exercise in general has been shown to be an adjunct alternative to the treatment of drug addicts. The objective of the study was to evaluate the acute effect of a solo Pilates session on the autonomic nervous system of patients with drug addiction through heart rate variability (HRV). 11 patients aged between 20 and 50 years old, with chemical dependency on legal or illicit drugs, were included, undergoing a solo Pilates session lasting approximately 30 minutes, consisting of 15 exercises. The subjects responded to three inventories and underwent anthropometric assessment. HRV was collected during three moments: before, during and after the Pilates session. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the demographic characteristics of the participants and both parametric and non-parametric tests were used for repeated measures. Of the patients evaluated, 36.36% reported being alcoholics, 9.09% drug users and 45.45% reported using alcohol and drugs. The average abstinence time was four days, while the average time spent using psychoactive substances (PASs) reported was 21 years. 18% of the sample was female. As a result, there was a significant difference [F( 1.80, 18.08) = 5.23; p< 0.02] η²= 0,344 in the R-R interval in the exercise period when compared to rest, 30 minutes and 40 minutes after the Pilates session, as well as in the 10 minutes when compared to 40 minutes. There was also a significant difference in heart rate in the exercise period when compared to 30 and 40 min [X2(5) = 14.01; p< 0.02]. In the other time and frequency domains, no significant statistical differences were identified. It is concluded that a light intensity solo Pilates session was able to significantly change the R-R interval. However, there is a need for new studies to verify the chronic effect of Pilates training with this audience.