The Effect of Pilates Training on Immune Markers in Elderly Men

With age, the immune system decreases. Improving immune function in the elderly through exercise has an important role in the health of the elderly. The purpose of the present study was to determine the effect of twelve weeks of Pilates training on immune markers in elderly men.

In this quasi-experimental study, 22 elderly men with mean age (65 ± 2.81) years were purposefully selected and randomly divided into two experimental and control groups. Pilates training program was performed for 12 weeks, three days a week for 60 minutes. The intensity of exercise was controlled by the "Rating of Perceived Exertion" (RPE) Monocytes, neutrophils, and lymphocytes were measured before and 48 hours after the last training session. Content validity and Cronbach's alpha were measured. SPSS. 23 was used for data analysis.

12 weeks of Pilates training significantly increased monocyte level (P = 0.001, F = 315.87) (18.21%) and significantly decreased neutrophil counts (P = 0.001). P, F = 56.57 (5.65%) and lymph nodes (P = 0.001, F = 31.26) (5.33%) in the experimental group compared to the control group (P˂0.05). 

Pilates exercises for a relatively long time can be effective in stimulating and altering immune system parameters in the elderly. It is recommended that seniors use this type of exercise to strengthen their immune systems and improve their health.