Eight Weeks of Mat Pilates Training on Balance and Falls in Elderly Nepalese Women

Abstract

Although exercise with the Pilates method may improve balance and prevent falls in the elderly, results from previous studies are not conclusive, more so, among elderly Asian women. Thus, this study sought to compare the effect of mat Pilates training (with a Pilates ring) and outdoor walking on the frequency of falls that occur due to imbalance among Nepalese women above 60 years. Sixty elderly Nepalese women aged 60 years or older were randomly assigned to one of the two groups (i.e., Pilates and control groups) via conceal allocation method. The Intervention took place 60 min/session, two times a week for 8 weeks. The Pilates Group (PG) (n=30) underwent a supervised Mat-Pilates program with a Pilates ring; whereas the Control Group (CG) (n=30) did outdoor walking at a comfortable pace. The functional performance was evaluated by Unipedal Stance Test (UST), Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), and Berg Balance Scale (BBS). The number of falls within 12 weeks before and after the study was compared and evaluated. The Pilates intervention presented significant improvement in balance compared to outdoor walking (P<0.001). Specifically, participants in the Pilates group showed improvement in mobility, stability, static and dynamic balance (P < 0.05). A documented number of falls within 3 months after the study showed a significant reduction (78%) in mat Pilates training (P = 0.004), whereas the relationship between outdoor walking and the number of falls was null. Eight weeks of Mat Pilates exercise is effective in improving the balance and reduce the frequency of falls in elderly females for at least 12 weeks after the training.