12-week Pilates Program on Community-dwelling Middle-aged Women

Effects of a 12-week Pilates Program on Basal Metabolic Rate, Body Composition, Physical Activity in Middle-aged and Elder Females

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a Pilates exercise intervention program on functional physical fitness in community-dwelling middle-aged women.

Based on quasi-experimental design with a parallel control group, Subjects were allocated into to intervention group and control group with convenience sampling method. The primary outcome included body composition, basal metabolic rate, and functional physical fitness-comprising cardiovascular capacity (3-minute step test), flexibility (sit-and-reach test), muscular strength of upper limbs (grip-strength test), muscular strength of lower limbs (30 s chair stand test), core strength (bent-knee sit-up test), agility (8-foot timed up-and-go test), static balance (single-leg stance with eyes closed test), and dynamic balance (functional reach test), assessed in both groups before and after the 12-week intervention.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Female 45-64 years old in age

Exclusion Criteria:

• cognitive-function impairment
• spinal disease
• unsuitability for engaging in physical activity (e.g., because of severe cardiovascular disease)
• muscular strength affected by medication for nervous system diseases.