The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of 12-week Pilates-inspired exercise on functional performance in community-dwelling older women.
Pilates is an exercise system developed over 70 years ago that has been recently received attention due to its beneficial effects on postural stability, coordination, muscle strength and flexibility. The studies published involving Pilates were very different among them regarding intervention period (5, 8, 12 and 24 weeks), frequency (2 and 3 sessions/week) and exercises (mat, mat with accessories, apparatus and others combinations), making meaningful comparison difficult. Furthermore, other important physical features to maintain an independent life at older age, such as cardiorespiratory fitness, were accessed in few studies. So, the effective benefits of Pilates method on physical fitness of community-dwelling older people remain unclear.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
40
The Pilates program was conducted twice weekly, 60 minutes/session, for twelve consecutive weeks by a certified Pilates Instructor.
The control group did not receive the Pilates training program and were instructed to maintain their currently activities during the twelve-week follow-up period.
physical fitness
In this study, physical fitness includes strength, balance and aerobic resistance.
Time frame: changes from baseline physical fitness at 12 weeks
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