Document Type : Research Paper
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the efficiency of 12-week Pilates training on depression, and some motor functions associated with falling in the elderly. A quasi-experimental with pretest-posttest design was conducted on 30 elderly women aged 62-80 who were visited ٍElderly Rehabilitation Center of Shahrekord in 2011. They were randomly assigned into two groups of control and experimental. To assess their depression, Geriatric Depression Scale was given to participants and to evaluate their balance and speed of walking, functional reach, timed up and go, and 10- Meter Walk tests were conducted. Then, the experimental group participated in the Pilates training for 12 weeks. The data were analyzed by Covariance. The findings of this study showed that Pilates training lead to a 19.801 percent decrease of depression rate in the experimental group. In addition, a decrease was observed in the time for timed up and go test (7.263%) and 10 meter walk test (normal speed of walking (9.218%) and highest speed of walking (9.055%) as a result of Pilates training. Furthermore, an improvement was observed in static (16.703%) and dynamic (7.263%) balance. No significant difference was observed in the pretest and posttest scores of the control group. The results of the study showed that Pilates training is efficient in decreasing depression level and improving balance and speed of walking which are the main reasons of falling of the elderly.
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