Pilates improves balance and eases back pain in older women, study suggests
Older women who include Pilates to their exercise regimen can help ease their back pain and improve their balance, a new study reveals.
When compared to different types of exercise systems, Pilates also helps lessen women's fear of falling, as reported in Reuters Health.
The Spanish study, which appears in the journal Maturitas, was conducted by researchers from University of Jaen in Spain, led by Dr. Fidel Hita-Contreras.
For the study, 100 women aged 65 years old and above were given physiotherapy for twice a week consisting of nerve stimulation done for 40 minutes and massage and stretching exercises for 20 minutes.
Half of the women were also required to have Pilates sessions for one hour and twice a week as well.
Researchers then tested if Pilates had an effect on the participants by asking them to stand on a chair, do a three-meter walk, turn around, and sit down.
The participants were also required to complete a questionnaire asking them to rate their level of pain.
The study revealed that those women who also performed Pilates reported that they had diminished fear of falling, reduced back pain, and better balance following only six weeks of exercising.
According to study lead author Hita-Contreras who told Reuters Health by email, Pilates exercises do not only focus on the body but also the mind, emphasizing that the exercise system's principle is "mind-body" interaction.
The researchers, however, do acknowledge that their study is small and the same findings may not be applicable to younger women. Furthermore, they note that more studies should be conducted to find out what long-term effects the exercise system has.
Pilates is developed by German-born Joseph Hubertus Pilates, who turned to the classical Greek concept of a man with a balanced mind, body, and spirit as basis for this exercise system.
Besides providing benefits to the body — such as developing the core muscles and improving muscle movement — Pilates also brings psychological benefits as it can help reduce stress, calm emotions, and lessen emotional tension.
