Introduction:

the systematic practice of physical exercise may influence the perception and distortion of body image in adult women.

Objective:

to analyze the evolution of body image perception and distortion in adult women who performed a systematic practice of mat Pilates (PM) or Pilates with apparatus (PA).

Methods:

a total of 35 adult women participated in a PM (n = 19) or PA (n = 26) program for 16 weeks, two days a week. Body image was assessed before and after the interventions using the Eating Behavior Inventory 3 (EBI-3), Gardner's body image assessment scale, and Thompson and Gray's silhouette scale questionnaires.

Results:

the PM group showed a significant reduction in dissatisfaction with buttocks, dissatisfaction with body image, perceived image, distortion index, dissatisfaction index, perceived mental image, perceived affective image, cognitive dissatisfaction index, and affective dissatisfaction index (p < 0.05; ES: 0. 26-0.80). As compared to the PA group, a significant reduction was shown in dissatisfaction with thighs, dissatisfaction with hips, dissatisfaction with body image, dissatisfaction index, cognitive dissatisfaction index, and affective dissatisfaction index (p < 0.05; 0.22-0.79).

Conclusion:

the systematic practice of PM or PA improves body image in adult women, reducing their body dissatisfaction.

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