ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: The priority of Pilates is to obtain physical and mental health, including flexibility, in a secure and balanced way. AIM: To verify the change in the quality of life of practitioners of the Pilates method. METHODOLOGY: Descriptive observational study of 74 Pilates practitioners divided into 3 groups: practitioner for up to three months; practitioner for more than 1 year; and ex-practitioners. The quality of life analysis was performed using the self-administered questionnaire, SF-36. The comparison between groups was made by ANOVA one-way, then an analysis by post-hoc Scheffé, with a significance level of p < 0.05. RESULT: The group of experienced practitioners showed better results in the dimensions of physical function (mean 86.37 points; p < 0.01), general health (mean 29.48 points; p < 0.001) and mental health (mean 43.59 points; p < 0.02) of quality of life. CONCLUSION: Pilates was associated with the improvement of quality of life.
