Comparison of General Exercise vs Pilates on Balance and Fall Risk in Older Adults
Sam’s world view
Each month we hear from Sam Wood - she summarises the most recent articles published in the Pilates industry.
The effects of a general physical activity program versus a Pilates program on balance and fall risk in older adults
A group of researchers in Italy designed a study to determine if a Pilates program had greater effects on balance and reduction of fall risk in the elderly than a general physical activity program. For this study, 41individuals who were over 55 years old, healthy and with no pain, were randomly assigned to either a Pilates group or a general exercise group. Each group did a pre-determined exercise program for 13 weeks. The Pilates group did a 50-minute mat exercise program 3 days per week, which was supervised by an exercise specialist with over 15 years of Pilates experience. In this program, mental and physical elements were included, and specific control and strengthening of the abdominal, paraspinal, and gluteal muscles was emphasised. The general exercise group did a non-standardized and equipment-free exercise program that included a sequence of stretching exercises and aerobic exercise for 160 minutes each week.
Baseline measurements of both groups included: hand grip test, Berg balance scale test, and posturographic analysis. After the 13 weeks, both groups showed an improvement in all of these outcome measures. This is not surprising, as it is a general expectation that physical activity improves balance and has a positive influence on fall prevention. The interesting finding in this study is that the Pilates group had significantly better results than the general exercise group. The authors feel that a possible explanation for this is that Pilates principles include multiple components and challenge balance, core strength, lower extremity strength, and flexibility. Thus, they propose that a Pilates program creates the conditions for greater postural improvement than a general physical activity program and therefore could ultimately have a greater effect on fall reduction in the elderly.
Samantha Wood MPT, MBA, NPCT, RYT, is a licensed physical therapist, a National Pilates Certified Teacher (NPCT), a Yoga Alliance–certified teacher, and an associate faculty member for BASI Pilates. She created and teaches three advanced education courses for BASI Pilates: Pilates for Injuries & Pathologies- Parts 1 and 2 (for Pilates teachers) and Pilates: Integration into Therapeutic Practice (for rehab professionals). Pilates for Injuries & Pathologies Part 2: Chronic Pain Syndromes and Neurological Conditions is a brand new course that will debut in 2025 in Tokyo and London.
References
Patti A., D. Zangla, F.N. Sahin, S. Cataldi, G. Lavanco, A. Palma, and F. Fischietti. 2021. “Physical exercise and prevention of falls. Effects of a Pilates training method compared with a general physical activity program: a randomized controlled trial.” Medicine 100:13 (e25289).