Feasibility of Pilates for Late-Stage Frail Older Adults to Minimize Falls and Enhance Cognitive Functions
Globally, we are facing the tendency of aging, and demands for health enhancement among the older population have been steadily increasing. Among various exercise interventions, Pilates has been popularly utilized in rehabilitation; therefore, it is considered suitable for vulnerable populations. In...
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MDPI AG
2022-07-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/12/13/6716 |
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| author | Eri Sarashina Katsuyoshi Mizukami Yasuyo Yoshizawa Junko Sakurai Akane Tsuji Rezaul Begg |
| author_facet | Eri Sarashina Katsuyoshi Mizukami Yasuyo Yoshizawa Junko Sakurai Akane Tsuji Rezaul Begg |
| author_sort | Eri Sarashina |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Globally, we are facing the tendency of aging, and demands for health enhancement among the older population have been steadily increasing. Among various exercise interventions, Pilates has been popularly utilized in rehabilitation; therefore, it is considered suitable for vulnerable populations. In this study, frail late-stage older adults (>75 years) participated in a modified Pilates program (30 min per session, once a week for eight weeks). Age- and condition-matched Controls were also involved as the benchmark to reveal the effect of Pilates. While only the Pilates group participated in the exercise intervention, both groups undertook the health assessments twice (before and after the intervention period). Assessments included: (i) falling risk based on 3D motion capture systems and (ii) overall cognitive functions utilizing Mini-Mental State Examination and executive function with the use of Trail Making Test-A (TMT-A). Two-dimensional mood state was also used to measure changes in mood due to Pilates intervention. An 8-week Pilates intervention was effective in achieving higher and symmetrical swing foot control. Dynamic balance at heel contact was also improved by extending the spatial margin in case of slipping. Despite the trend of positive Pilates effects on executive functions (29% improvement) confirmed by TMT-A, no significant effects were observed for cognitive functions. Positive mood changes were achieved by Pilates intervention, which may be the key for late-stage seniors to continue their participation in exercise programs. While further studies with a larger sample size are essential, Pilates appears to provide adequate exercise for the frail late-stage older population to minimize frailty. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T22:06:00Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d4314cac300445c5b52dcc7f8588a122 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-3417 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T22:06:00Z |
| publishDate | 2022-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Applied Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-d4314cac300445c5b52dcc7f8588a1222023-11-23T19:41:32ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172022-07-011213671610.3390/app12136716Feasibility of Pilates for Late-Stage Frail Older Adults to Minimize Falls and Enhance Cognitive FunctionsEri Sarashina0Katsuyoshi Mizukami1Yasuyo Yoshizawa2Junko Sakurai3Akane Tsuji4Rezaul Begg5Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8577, JapanGraduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8577, JapanDepartment of Healthy Life Expectancy, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo 113-0034, JapanLolita’s Legacy, Numadu 410-0056, JapanDK Pilates Japan, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0052, JapanInstitute for Health and Sports (IHES), Victoria University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, AustraliaGlobally, we are facing the tendency of aging, and demands for health enhancement among the older population have been steadily increasing. Among various exercise interventions, Pilates has been popularly utilized in rehabilitation; therefore, it is considered suitable for vulnerable populations. In this study, frail late-stage older adults (>75 years) participated in a modified Pilates program (30 min per session, once a week for eight weeks). Age- and condition-matched Controls were also involved as the benchmark to reveal the effect of Pilates. While only the Pilates group participated in the exercise intervention, both groups undertook the health assessments twice (before and after the intervention period). Assessments included: (i) falling risk based on 3D motion capture systems and (ii) overall cognitive functions utilizing Mini-Mental State Examination and executive function with the use of Trail Making Test-A (TMT-A). Two-dimensional mood state was also used to measure changes in mood due to Pilates intervention. An 8-week Pilates intervention was effective in achieving higher and symmetrical swing foot control. Dynamic balance at heel contact was also improved by extending the spatial margin in case of slipping. Despite the trend of positive Pilates effects on executive functions (29% improvement) confirmed by TMT-A, no significant effects were observed for cognitive functions. Positive mood changes were achieved by Pilates intervention, which may be the key for late-stage seniors to continue their participation in exercise programs. While further studies with a larger sample size are essential, Pilates appears to provide adequate exercise for the frail late-stage older population to minimize frailty.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/12/13/6716Pilatesfalls preventionmotion capturecognitive functionfrailtyexecutive function |
| spellingShingle | Eri Sarashina Katsuyoshi Mizukami Yasuyo Yoshizawa Junko Sakurai Akane Tsuji Rezaul Begg Feasibility of Pilates for Late-Stage Frail Older Adults to Minimize Falls and Enhance Cognitive Functions Applied Sciences Pilates falls prevention motion capture cognitive function frailty executive function |
| title | Feasibility of Pilates for Late-Stage Frail Older Adults to Minimize Falls and Enhance Cognitive Functions |
| title_full | Feasibility of Pilates for Late-Stage Frail Older Adults to Minimize Falls and Enhance Cognitive Functions |
| title_fullStr | Feasibility of Pilates for Late-Stage Frail Older Adults to Minimize Falls and Enhance Cognitive Functions |
| title_full_unstemmed | Feasibility of Pilates for Late-Stage Frail Older Adults to Minimize Falls and Enhance Cognitive Functions |
| title_short | Feasibility of Pilates for Late-Stage Frail Older Adults to Minimize Falls and Enhance Cognitive Functions |
| title_sort | feasibility of pilates for late stage frail older adults to minimize falls and enhance cognitive functions |
| topic | Pilates falls prevention motion capture cognitive function frailty executive function |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/12/13/6716 |
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