title: The effects of Pilates exercise training on physical fitness and wellbeing in the elderly: A systematic review for future exercise prescription.
abstract: This systematic review aims to summarize the effects of Pilates exercise training (PET) in elderly population on physical fitness, balance and fall prevention, and its effects on mood states, quality of life and independence in the daily living activities.
  
  
  METHODS
  Keyword "Pilates" associated with "elderly", "aging" and "old subjects" were identified as terms for the literature research in MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, Scopus, PsycINFO and SPORTDiscus. Only studies published in peer-reviewed journals written in English language were considered. A meta-analysis was performed and effect sizes (ES) calculated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  10 studies were identified (6 RCTs and 4 uncontrolled trials); age ranged from 60 to 80years. Overall, PET showed large ES to improve muscle strength (ES=1.23), walking and gait performances (ES=1.39), activities of daily living, mood states and quality of life (ES=0.94), moderate to high effect on dynamic balance (ES=0.77), small effects on static balance (ES=0.34) and flexibility (ES=0.31), while a small effect on cardio-metabolic outcomes (ES=0.07).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PET should be taken into account as a way to improve quality of life in the elderly, due to the imparted benefits of fall prevention, physical fitness, and mood states. In this context, physicians might include PET as a tool for exercise prescriptions for the elderly.
authors.affiliation: Sport and Exercise Medicine Division, Department of Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bullo
authors.affiliation: Sport and Exercise Medicine Division, Department of Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy. Electronic address: marco.bergamin@unipd.it.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bergamin
authors.affiliation: Sport and Exercise Medicine Division, Department of Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gobbo
authors.affiliation: Technology Applications Center for Healthful Lifestyles, College of Nursing, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, United States of America.
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Sieverdes
authors.affiliation: Sport and Exercise Medicine Division, Department of Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zaccaria
authors.affiliation: Sport and Exercise Medicine Division, Department of Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Neunhaeuserer
authors.affiliation: Sport and Exercise Medicine Division, Department of Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ermolao
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control; D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D026241:Exercise Movement Techniques; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D004856:Postural Balance; D011788:Quality of Life; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology
keywords: Elderly; Fall prevention; Physical fitness; Pilates; Review