Body balance, mobility and respiratory muscle strength in elderly women practitioners of the Pilates method

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The Pilates Method is based on whole body movements, breathing, concentration, centering, precision and rhythm. It is not clear whether the practice of this activity is superior to maintain an active lifestyle. OBJECTIVE: To compare the body balance, mobility and respiratory muscle strength of elderly women practicing the Pilates Method and active elderly women. METHODS: An analytical cross-sectional study was carried out on 22 elderly women, including 11 Pilates Method Practitioners (PMP) and 11 Active Elderly (AE) women. Participants were classified by the Human Activity Profile (HAP) and evaluated by Timed up and Go (TUG), Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and manovacuometry. RESULTS: The sample was 69.36 ± 9.49 years old. The TUG mean of the PMPs was 8.06 ± 4.29 seconds, and of the AE was 8.28 ± 2.82 (p> 0.05). In BBS, the mean of the PMP score was 54.63 ± 1.91 and the AE was 52.90 ± 4.01 (p> 0.05). Regarding the evaluation of respiratory muscle strength, there was also no significant difference between the groups, but there was a difference in AE when comparing the actual values (PiMax = 59.00 cmH2O and PeMax = 54.00 cmH2O), with the predictive values (PiMax = 77 , 12 cmH 2 O and Pemax = 74.18 cmH 2 O), with p <0.05. CONCLUSION: Staying physically active or practicing the Pilates Method seems to have the same effect on the body balance and mobility of older women, especially between 60 and 65 years. However, elderly women who practice Pilates seem to maintain respiratory muscle strength more appropriate to their age.