Changes in gait and balance parameters in elderly subjects attending an 8-week supervised Pilates programme

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Biomechanical analysis
• Exercise physiology

Background:

• Falls in the elderly present significant clinical and economic burdens.
• Exercise interventions can mitigate fall risk, but Pilates in community settings with gait analysis is understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of a supervised, community-based Pilates program on gait parameters and postural sway in elderly individuals.
• To assess changes in inter-stride variability (ISV) and fall risk index (FRI) following the intervention.

Main Methods:

• Observational study involving 9 elderly participants (60-76 years) attending weekly Pilates for 8 weeks.
• Gait parameters including walking speed, step cycle, step length, and ISV were measured.
• Postural sway and a fall risk index (FRI) were also assessed.

Main Results:

• Significant improvements observed in walking speed, step cycle, step length, and a composite ambulation index.
• A notable decrease in postural sway and an improvement in the fall risk index were recorded.
• Coefficients of variation for gait parameters decreased by approximately 15%; inter-stride variability did not change significantly.

Conclusions:

• A short-term Pilates program in a community setting shows potential for enhancing gait and balance in older adults.
• The findings suggest Pilates may be a viable intervention to reduce fall risk by improving key biomechanical parameters.
• Further research is warranted to confirm these findings in larger, diverse populations.