title: Effects of a 12-week Pilates course on lower limb muscle strength and trunk flexibility in women living in the community.
abstract: Researchers in Taiwan studying regular adult physical activity found that among married women aged 26 to 55 years, 56% participated in physical activity, and that the convenience and safety of the activity were major factors contributing to their willingness to exercise. Muscle weakness and poor trunk flexibility are closely related to some chronic diseases in women. In this cross-sectional survey, we used the Polestar Pilates™ method to explore the effects of a 12-week Pilates course on the physical fitness of women living in the community. Fifty-three members of the experimental group (mean age: 42.30 ± 9.97) and 43 of the control group (mean age: 41.23 ± 9.83) were included. We confirm that a convenient Pilates exercise intervention can significantly improve muscle strength and trunk flexibility in women. Our findings serve as an important reference for health authorities in Taiwan and provide higher awareness of women's health and physical fitness, which can help prevent chronic and cardiovascular diseases.
authors.affiliation: a Graduate Institute of Health Allied Education, National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences , Taipei , Taiwan , Republic of China.
authors.forename: Yu-Hsiu
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Kao
authors.forename: Tsan-Hon
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Liou
authors.forename: Yi-Ching
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Ya-Wen
authors.initials: YW
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.forename: Kuo-Ming
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D035002:Lower Extremity; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D015397:Program Evaluation; D013624:Taiwan