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. 2015 Mar;27(3):871-6.
doi: 10.1589/jpts.27.871. Epub 2015 Mar 31.

Effects of Pilates on muscle strength, postural balance and quality of life of older adults: a randomized, controlled, clinical trial

Laís Campos de Oliveira  1 , Raphael Gonçalves de Oliveira  1 , Deise Aparecida de Almeida Pires-Oliveira  1
Affiliations

Effects of Pilates on muscle strength, postural balance and quality of life of older adults: a randomized, controlled, clinical trial

Laís Campos de Oliveira et al. J Phys Ther Sci. 2015 Mar.

Abstract

[Purpose] The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of Pilates on lower leg strength, postural balance and the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of older adults. [Subjects and Methods] Thirty-two older adults were randomly allocated either to the experimental group (EG, n = 16; mean age, 63.62 ± 1.02 years), which performed two sessions of Pilates per week for 12 weeks, or to the control group (CG, n = 16; mean age, 64.21 ± 0.80), which performed two sessions of static stretching per week for 12 weeks. The following evaluations were performed before and after the interventions: isokinetic torque of knee extensors and flexors at 300°/s, the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, the Berg Balance Scale, and the Health Survey assessment (SF-36). [Results] In the intra-group analysis, the EG demonstrated significant improvement in all variables. In the inter-group analysis, the EG demonstrated significant improvement in most variables. [Conclusion] Pilates exercises led to significant improvement in isokinetic torque of the knee extensors and flexors, postural balance and aspects of the health-related quality of life of older adults.

Keywords: Age; Exercise; Muscle strength dynamometer.

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Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
Flowchart showing the progression of the study
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.
Equipment Used: a) Combo chair; b) Cadillac trapeze table; c) Universal reformer; d) Ladder barrel
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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