The Effect of Pilates, TRX and Combination Exercises on the Motor Memory Consolidation among Middle-Aged Women: One-Month Follow-Up Period

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Pilates, TRX, and combination exercises on motor memory consolidation and a one-month follow-up period. In a semi-experimental project, 40 middle-aged women aged 30 to 50 years old, without having a history of Pilates and TRX exercises, were available selected and randomly divided into four groups, such as TRX, Pilates, Combination (TRX + Pilates), and Control. In the pre-test phase, all groups performed an epoch of 5 practice blocks (each block containing 10 times the implementation of the 8-item 2R4R3R1R pattern). The experimental groups then practiced for eight weeks, three sessions each week, and 60 minutes of each session. The subjects in the control group also had their daily exercises during this period. Immediately after the end of the training sessions, a post-test and a month later, a follow-up test similar to the pre-test was performed. To analyze the different stages of the research, the one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey Post-Hoc tests were used at a significance level of p < 0.05. The results showed that Pilates and combination exercises in post-test and Pilates exercise in a one-month follow-up period had a significant effect on the motor memory consolidation among middle-aged women. Based on the results of previous studies and the findings of the present study, it can be concluded that Pilates exercise improves motor memory consolidation in middle-aged people. There has been much discussion about the effect of aerobic activity (such as Pilates exercise) on motor memory consolidation. Although researchers have stated that its underlying mechanisms have not been conclusively determined, it is assumed that significant changes in the human brain occur following aerobic exercise. Therefore, these factors are effective in maintaining cognitive function and promoting memory consolidation, which is probably more affected by Pilate’s exercises