The effect of the Ground Pilates Method in the flexibility of elderly women

Abstract

Objective:Evaluating the effect of Ground Pilates Method(GPM) on the haunch and shoulder girdle flexibility of elderly women after a twelve-week training period. Method:There were 22 women participating, they were divided in Pilates group (PG;n=15;61.93 ±5.35 years old) that was subjected to 2 GPM sessions each week, during 12 weeks, and Control group (CG;n=7;62,14±3,80 years old) that practiced no regularly physical activities in this period. The evaluated joints were the hip and the shoulder ones by using goniometry and the sit and reach test. A descriptive and inferential statistical analysis of the data was done. Results:After the intervention the PG showed improvement in hip flexion(p<0.001), shoulder flexion(p=0.014), shoulder adduction(p=0.003) and shoulder abduction(p<0.001) movements. By comparing the groups after the intervention, there was an improvement in the hip flexion movement(p=0.026) and shoulder extension(p=0.039) in the PG participants. Conclusion:The GPM has improved the flexibility of the women who took part in this study.