The effect of pilates training on improvement of motor and cognitive functions related to falling in elderly female

Document Type : Original Articles

Authors

1 Assistant Professor, Department of Motor Behavior, School of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran

2 MSc Student in Motor Behavior, Student Research Committee, School of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran

3 Assistant Professor, Department of Exercise Physiology, School of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran

10.22122/jrrs.v8i3.522

Abstract

Introduction: Reaching a good old age is the most significant achievement of human development. But fall-related injuries among older adults are the most severe life-threatening condition. Tendency to fall down which is very common in old people is a matter of poor balance and gross motor coordination. The aim of present study is to investigate the effect of pilates training on improvement of motor and cognitive functions related to falling in elderly female.Materials and Methods: A quasi-experimental study was designed for this research. Participants were 30 elderly female (mean ± SD age, 70.23 ± 5.9 years, mean ± SD weight, 61.67 ± 10.53 Kg, mean ± SD height, 150.43 ± 7.88 cm) who referred to Farhikhtegan Rehabilitation Center, Shahrekord-Iran, in 2011. They were randomly assigned to two groups of experimental and control, functional reach test and 10-meter walk test were used to evaluate motor function, and cognitive function was measured by Wechsler's memory scale. The experimental group received a 12-week Pilate's exercise therapy. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS, version 16. Results: The results revealed a significant difference between control and experimental groups in functional reach test (F = 4.789, P = 0.037), 10-meter walk test in normal speed (F = 12.345, P = 0.002), and top speed (F = 11.575, P < 0.002). In addition, a significant difference was found between pilates and control group in Wechsler's memory scale (F = 13.127, P = 0.001).Conclusion: It can be concluded that attending pilates training sessions could improve motor functions in elderly people especially balance and cognitive functions. Therefore, it seems that by following these training, the older people do activities on their strength and balance .it helps to reduce falls and its following medical expenses. Keywords: Pilates training, Elderly, Memory, Balance, Falling