The Pilates Method to Improve Body Balance in the Elderly

Abstract

Objective: Considering a world-wide increase of the elderly population and the age-related ceasing of functional capacities, maintenance of body balance is crucial to avoid falls and the risk of fractures. The Pilates Method offers exercises aimed at stabilizing the postural muscles and therefore appears to have a good potential in this context. The aim of the study was to assess the possible effects of a Pilates program on body balance in elderly people. The hypothesis was that this type of intervention would improve body balance as compared to another group of elderly people, who participated in a program with unspecific physical activities. Design: The Pilates group (PG, n=19) and the control group (CG, n=20) exercised twice a week for 10 weeks. All participants were submitted to a balance test before and after the intervention.Results: The groups showed similar balance abilities in the pre-test, classified as regular balance abilities. The participants in the CG did not show any improvement in body balance during the post-test, while the participants in the PG showed significant improvements, with a tendency toward a good classification. Older subjects showed a tendency toward a lower capacity in body balance within the groups. Conclusion: The Pilates Method offers a beneficial tool to improve the abilities to maintain body balance. The effects of this method probably represent an entity ofimproved postural muscle functionality and an improved integration of the information provided by various receptor systems in the control of the activity of these muscles.