title: Effects of Pilates-based exercise on life satisfaction, physical self-concept and health status in adult women.
abstract: The objective of this study was to determine the effect of Pilates-based mat exercises on life satisfaction, perception of appreciation by other people, perception of physical appearance, perception of functionality, total physical self-concept, and perception of health status in healthy women. A randomized controlled trial was conducted in Evora, Portugal, in 2008, in which 62 healthy adult women were randomized to a Pilates-based mat (experimental group) (n = 38, mean age ± SD, 41.08 ± 6.64 years) or a control group (n = 24, mean age ± SD, 40.25 ± 7.70 years). Experimental group participants performed the Initial Mat of Body Control Pilates twice per week, 60-minutes per session. Repeated measurements were performed at baseline, 3 months and 6 months. No significant differences between the two groups were observed in life satisfaction, perception of appreciation by other people, perception of physical appearance, perception of functionality, total physical self-concept, and perception of health status at three time point measures (baseline, after 3 months, and after 6 months). No significant differences were observed in the control group over time. The experimental group showed significant improvements between baseline and six months in life satisfaction (p = .04), perception of appreciation by other people (p = .002), perception of physical appearance (p = .001), perception of functionality (p = .01), total physical self-concept (p = .001), perception of health status (p = .013) and between three and six months in life satisfaction (p = .002), perception of appreciation by other people (p = .05), perception of physical appearance (p = .001), perception of functionality (p = .02), and total physical self-concept (p = .001). Life satisfaction, perception of appreciation by other people, perception of physical appearance, perception of functionality, total physical self-concept and perception of health status may improve after 6 months of Pilates-based mat exercise.
authors.affiliation: Department of Sport and Health, University of Evora, Evora, Portugal. anacruzferreira@gmail.com
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cruz-Ferreira
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fernandes
authors.forename: Dulce
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gomes
authors.forename: Lisa Marie
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Bernardo
authors.forename: Bruce D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Kirkcaldy
authors.forename: Tiago M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Barbosa
authors.forename: António
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Silva
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001828:Body Image; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D026241:Exercise Movement Techniques / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011174:Portugal; D012649:Self Concept