This study investigated the effect of Pilates exercise on physical fall risk factors 12 months after an initial 5-week Pilates intervention. The authors hypothesized that ongoing Pilates participation would have a positive effect on physical fall risk factors in those who continued with Pilates exercise compared with those who ceased. Thirty older ambulatory adults (M = 69 years, SD = 7) participated in Pilates classes for 5 weeks with testing preintevention (Time 1 [T1]) and postintervention (Time 2 [T2]) and 12 months later (Time 3 [T3]). Balance and leg strength were compared using a 2-way analysis of variance with repeated measures. Postural sway, dynamic balance, and function improvements evident after the initial Pilates training (T1–T2) were maintained at T3 (p < .01). Significant differences existed at T3 for dynamic balance and strength between participants who continued performing Pilates (n = 14) and those who had ceased. Balance improvements after a short Pilates intervention were maintained 1 year later in all participants, with increased benefits from ongoing participation.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Keywords:	timed up and go, falls risk factors, postural balance, accidental falls
Research Division:	Medical and Health Sciences
Research Group:	Human Movement and Sports Science
Research Field:	Exercise Physiology
Objective Division:	Health
Objective Group:	Specific Population Health (excl. Indigenous Health)
Objective Field:	Health Related to Ageing
Author:	Bird, M-L (Dr Marie-Louise Bird)
Author:	Fell, J (Associate Professor James Fell)
ID Code:	85673
Year Published:	2014
Web of Science® Times Cited:	10
Deposited By:	Health Sciences A
Deposited On:	2013-07-29
Last Modified:	2017-10-31
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