Pilates method in personal autonomy, static balance and quality of life of elderly females.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the Pilates method on the personal autonomy, static balance and quality of life in healthy elderly females.


METHODS
Fifty-two elderly females were selected and submitted to evaluation protocols to assess functional autonomy (GDLAM), static balance (Tinetti) and quality of life (WHOQOL-OLD). The Pilates group (PG: n=27) participated in Pilates exercises twice weekly for eight weeks. Descriptive statistics were compiled using the Shapiro-Wilk test. The level of significance was considered to be p< or =0.05.


RESULTS
The dependent Student-t test demonstrated significant post-test differences in the Pilates group in the following areas balance (Delta%=4.35%, p=0.0001) and General Index of GDLAM (Delta%=-13.35%, p=0.0001); the Wilcoxon test demonstrated significant post-test differences in the quality of life Index (Delta%=1.26%, p=0.0411).


CONCLUSIONS
The Pilates method can offer significant improvement in personal autonomy, static balance and quality of life.
Siqueira Rodrigues
Brena Guedes de
BG
PROCIMH - Universidade Castelo Branco, RJ, Brasil. brenagsr@yahoo.com.br
Ali Cader
Samaria
S
Bento Torres
Natáli Valim Oliver
NV
Oliveira
Ediléa Monteiro de
EM
Martin Dantas
Estélio Henrique
EH
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D026241:Exercise Movement Techniques; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009043:Motor Activity; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D018583:Pliability; D004856:Postural Balance; D011187:Posture; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires