EFFECTS OF PILATES-BASED-TRAINING ON STATIC AND DYNAMIC BALANCE IN AN ELDERLY POPULATION

Abstract

1991 The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of Pilates-based-training on balance in an elderly population. Thirty-one men and women ranging in age from 65 to 81 years (mean + − SD = 69.5 + − 4.1 yr) began the study, and 24 subjects completed the ten week training program and all post-treatment measures. Subjects were randomly assigned to a traditional strength plus flexability training group (SPF, n = 9), a Pilates-based-training group (PBT, n = 9), and a no exercise control (CON, n = 6). Pre and post training measurements of static and dynamic balance were performed on the Kinesthetic Ability Training balance platform (K.A.T.2000). The Berg Balance Scale (BBS) was used as a field measure of balance. Three (group) by two (pre/post) repeated measures ANOVA with the alpha level set at P < 0.10, demonstrated a significant group by time interaction (p = .028) for static balance on the KAT, with PBT improving more than the SPF group. A significant time effect (p=.066) on the KAT, as well as the BBS (p=.009), demonstrated that all three groups improved in dynamic balance. These results indicate that PBT is an effective mode of exercise for improving static or postural balance in elderly adults, whereas the complexity of dynamic balance makes it difficult to measure and determine the effectiveness of this or any training protocol. These results suggest that PBT can also improve dynamic balance in elderly adults, but more research in this area is needed to determine the best tool to assess this complex motor skill.