title: The influence of Pilates method in quality of life of practitioners.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The priority of Pilates is to obtain physical and mental health, including flexibility, in a secure and balanced way.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To verify the change in the quality of life of practitioners of the Pilates method.
  
  
  METHODS
  Descriptive observational study of 74 Pilates practitioners divided into 3 groups: practitioner for up to three months; practitioner for more than 1 year; and ex-practitioners. The quality of life analysis was performed using the self-administered questionnaire, SF-36. The comparison between groups was made by ANOVA one-way, then an analysis by post-hoc Scheffé, with a significance level of p < 0.05.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The group of experienced practitioners showed better results in the dimensions of physical function (mean 86.37 points; p < 0.01), general health (mean 29.48 points; p < 0.001) and mental health (mean 43.59 points; p < 0.02) of quality of life.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pilates was associated with the improvement of quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Gama Filho University, Rua Manuel Vitorino, 553 e Piedade/RJ, CEP: 20740-900, Brazil. Electronic address: fetdv@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Fernanda Teles Dias
authors.initials: FT
authors.lastname: Vieira
authors.forename: Lucila Martins
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Faria
authors.forename: João Irineu
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Wittmann
authors.forename: Wagner
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Teixeira
authors.forename: Leandro Alberto Calazans
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Nogueira
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D026241:Exercise Movement Techniques / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life
keywords: Physical therapy; Pilates; Quality of life