Pilates method in personal autonomy, static balance and quality of life of elderly females

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the Pilates method on the personal autonomy, static balance and quality of life in healthy elderly females.

Method: Fifty-two elderly females were selected and submitted to evaluation protocols to assess functional autonomy (GDLAM), static balance (Tinetti) and quality of life (WHOQOL-OLD). The Pilates group (PG: n=27) participated in Pilates exercises twice weekly for eight weeks. Descriptive statistics were compiled using the Shapiro-Wilk test. The level of significance was considered to be p< or =0.05.

Results: The dependent Student-t test demonstrated significant post-test differences in the Pilates group in the following areas balance (Delta%=4.35%, p=0.0001) and General Index of GDLAM (Delta%=-13.35%, p=0.0001); the Wilcoxon test demonstrated significant post-test differences in the quality of life Index (Delta%=1.26%, p=0.0411).

Conclusion: The Pilates method can offer significant improvement in personal autonomy, static balance and quality of life.