The Effect of Pilates Exercises on Functional Fitness, Respiratory Function and Quality of Life in Older Women

Falling is one of the most common and serious problems in old age that happens a lot. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Pilates exercises on lower limb muscle strength, mobility, respiratory function and quality of life in elderly women.

This study was a randomized controlled trial. Thirty elderly women in the age range of 60-80 years from District 2 of Mashhad based on the inclusion criteria were selected as a statistical sample and were randomly divided into experimental (n = 15) and control (n = 15) groups. The 30- Second Chair stand test, time up and go, breathing rate per minute, and the rate of breath holding and exhaling and quality of life questionnaire were used for measure the lower limb muscle strength, mobility, respiratory function, and quality of life, respectively. The experimental group performed a Pilates exercise program for 6 weeks, 6 sessions per week and about 45 to 60 minutes per session. Data analysis was performed using statistical analysis of variance for repeated measures at 95% confidence level.

The results showed that lower extremity muscle strength, mobility, respiratory function and quality of life of the experimental group significantly improved in the post-test compared to the pre-test (P <0.05). Also, a significant difference was observed in all variables between the experimental and control groups in the post-test (P <0.05).

According to the results, 6 weeks of daily Pilates exercises improved leg strength, mobility, respiratory function and consequently the quality of life in elderly women (P <0.05). Therefore, we recommend these exercises as a safe intervention to prevent falling and improve mobility, respiratory function and quality of life in the elderly.