Effects of Pilates on the risk of falls, gait, balance and functional mobility in healthy older adults: A randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of Pilates on falls risk, fear of falling, postural balance, functional mobility, spatiotemporal gait parameters, mobility and physical activity in older adults. DESIGN: Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT). METHODS: Sixty-one older adults, mean age 70.08 (SD = 5.51) were randomly allocated into a Pilates group (PG, n = 29) or control group (CG, n = 32). Intervention comprised a 12-week Pilates program, with exercises performed twice a week and supplementary exercises at home. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA), was used to screen cognition. PRIMARY OUTCOMES: Fear of falling, postural balance (force platform), gait velocity (electronic walkway). SECONDARY OUTCOMES: Functional mobility, mobility, physical activity, and spatiotemporal parameters of gait. Statistical analysis was carried out using Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE). Covariates were adjusted. RESULTS: Positive effects were found for time effects: Time Up and Go (TUG), anteroposterior (AP) and mediolateral (ML) directions of balance, cadence, (stance, step and double support time). The step and double support time showed significant differences between the two groups (p < 0.05). Interaction between time and groups was found for FRT. Age was a significant factor in TUG, FRT, postural balance for AP under open eyes conditions. Health status was significant for ML in eyes open condition. Gait was significant for age, height and health status. CONCLUSION: Effects of 12 weeks of Pilates intervention on functional mobility, mobility, postural balance and spatiotemporal gait parameters were identified. Further trials of a longer duration are warranted to determine the effectiveness of Pilates on falls prevention.

Six weeks of Pilates improved functional mobility, postural balance and spatiotemporal parameters of gait to decrease the risk of falls in healthy older adults.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness of Pilates exercises on falls risk factors. DESIGN: Prospective cohort, pre-test post-test study. Participants were selected using convenience and snowballing sampling. Pilates classes were held twice weekly for six weeks (1-h sessions) with a supplementary home programme. METHODS: A test of cognitive function, the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA), was employed to determine eligibility for inclusion. The following fall-predictor variable measures were employed: the 16 item Falls Efficacy Scale (FES), the short International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), the Functional Reach Test (FRT), the Timed Up and Go (TUG), the GAITRite® system, Platform FOOTWORKpro. Multivariate analysis ANOVA with time as within subject factor was used to test for differences between pre and post-test scores adjusted for the factor Pilates. RESULTS: twenty-seven participants completed the study, mean age = 70.4 (SD = 4.5). After adjusting for the effect of the factor Pilates "previous experience or no previous experience of Pilates", statistically significant differences were identified in the following domains: The TUG (p < 0.001), FRT (p < 0.001), velocity, swing and stance time and the Mediolateral sway (p < 0.05). A significant difference was found between pre and post-test for anteroposterior sway in those with experience of Pilates (p < 0.05) and interaction between time and Pilates experience in Physical Activity (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Findings suggest that functional mobility, mobility, spatiotemporal parameters of gait, postural balance and physical activity improved in healthy older adults after 6 weeks of Pilates with a supplementary home programme.