Sagittal spinal posture after Pilates-based exercise in healthy older adults.
METHODS
Longitudinal, repeated-measures study.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to determine changes in sagittal spinal posture in older adults during standing and sitting after a Pilates-based exercise program.


BACKGROUND
Pilates exercise is purported to improve posture, however, few peer-reviewed articles are available to provide scientific support. Most previous studies were conducted in young dancers, and the effect of Pilates exercise on spinal posture in older adults remained unclear.


METHODS
Thirty-four healthy older adults aged over 60 years volunteered for this study. A two-dimensional PEAK Motus motion analysis system was used to measure sagittal spinal angles. Participants were tested on 2 occasions before the exercise program to establish a baseline measure, and undertook a supervised Pilates-based exercise program twice weekly for 10 weeks. Participants were tested on another 2 occasions, immediately after the exercise program, and after a short-term follow-up.


RESULTS
Baseline measures in both standing and sitting postures remained unchanged except for the lumbar spine angle in sitting. Immediately after the Pilates-based exercise program, older adults stood with slightly decreased thoracic flexion and sat with slightly increased lumbar extension. No significant differences were found during the follow-up period.


CONCLUSIONS
The individually designed Pilates-based exercise program was feasible for healthy older adults, and the high attendance rate supports the suitability of the exercise program over a long period. Considering the variability of the baseline measure, small improvement was only observed in the thoracic kyphosis during standing. The long-term effect of Pilates exercise requires further investigation.
Kuo
Yi-Liang
YL
School of Physiotherapy, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Tully
Elizabeth A
EA
Galea
Mary P
MP
D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology*; D026241:Exercise Movement Techniques / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D013121:Spinal Curvatures / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D013131:Spine / Q000503:physiopathology; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000503:physiopathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome