Thanks to our very own Lisa Vernon for this review of other groups of people that Pilates can help. There are some that might come as a surprise!
So you know what Pilates is all about……who is it suitable for and who can it help?
Pilates can be a great method of exercise to keep you active, toned and flexible but it can also be of benefit to you if you are rehabilitating from an injury or if you have some impairments from a disease or condition.
The reason being that a Pilates programme can be individualised to suit your needs whether that be balance, flexibility, strengthening or control etc.
If you want the evidence to back that up, the following articles have looked at the effect of a Pilates programme on a number of different people and this is what they found….
People with multiple sclerosis who are in a wheelchair
A study by van der Linder et al. (2014) looked at the effect of a 12 week Pilates programmeme on 15 people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) who use a wheelchair.
Significant improvements were found in the 12 week assessment in sitting posture, reduced back and shoulder pain. The majority of participants also described various physical, functional, psychological and social benefits from participation that reflected increased confidence in activities of daily living.
Women who want to improve their posture
This trial by Cruz-Ferreira et al. (2013) investigated the effect of attending 2x 60 minute mat classes a week for 6 months on posture in women.
They found that after 6 months there were postural improvements on shoulder position (from the front) and pelvic and head alignment (from the side).
People with non-specific chronic low back pain
A study by Rydeard et al (2006) investigated the effect of a 4 week pilates equipment programme on individuals with chronic low back pain. 39 subjects aged between 20 and 55 years of age were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups; pilates or usual care.
The individuals in the Pilates training group reported a significantly lower level of functional disability and average pain intensity which they had maintained at a 12 month follow up.
People with idiopathic Parkinson’s Disease
A study by Johnson et al (2013) evaluated the effects of a Pilates exercise programme on postural stability and balance in people with Idiopathic Parkinson’s Disease (IDP).
Ten IPD patients with a history of falls or near falls completed a 6-week supervised Pilates exercise programme. There were significant improvements in outcomes including the 5-metre walk time and TUG test as well as improvement in posture. Participants also reported improved balance confidence with Activities of Daily Living.
People following sub-acute stroke
A study by Surbala et al (2013) aimed to evaluate the effects of Pilates training on functional balance and quality of life in sub-acute Stroke subjects.
23 ambulatory Sub-acute Stroke subjects were randomly assigned into two groups; Pilates Group (12, Pilates and Conventional therapy) and Control Group (11, Conventional therapy only). Participants in Pilates group attended 3x 45 minute classes for 8 weeks.
There was significant improvement in functional balance and quality of life of sub-acute Stroke subjects in Pilates group compared to Control group after 8 weeks of training.
Improve balance in older adults
A systematic review by Barker et al (2015) investigated the effect of Pilates on balance and falls in older adults. When compared to nonactive control groups, Pilates was shown to improve balance when participants were challenged with moderate or high level or balance exercises in 2 or more hours of exercise a week.
Improving balance is an important risk factor to address in an effort to minimise a risk of falls.
Improve muscle endurance, flexibility, balance and posture
A study by Kloubec (2010) aimed to determine the effects of Pilates exercise on abdominal endurance, hamstring flexibility, upper body muscular endurance, posture and balance. 50 subjects were recruited to participate in a 12- week mat Pilates class which met for 1 hour twice a week.
At the end of a 12-week period there was a significant improvement in abdominal endurance, hamstring flexibility and upper body muscular endurance although no changes noted in posture in balance.
Improve the physical and psychological wellbeing of individuals with fibromyalgia
A pilot study by Korkmaz (2010) investigated the effect of Pilates exercises on the social physical concern (SPC) of patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). Patients underwent a Pilates exercise programme consisting of 3x 1 hour exercise sessions for 12 weeks.
Patients with FMS can safely perform Pilates exercises which significantly improved the weight, BMI, body fat ratio and SPC, pain and depression levels of the patients.
REFERENCES
Barker, A, Bird, M & Talevski, J 2015, ‘Effect of pilates exercise for improving balance in older adults: a systematic review with meta-analysis’, Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, vol. 96, no.4, pp. 715-723.
Cruz-Ferreira, A, Fernandes, J, Kuo, Y, Bernardo, L, Fernandes, O, Laranjo, L & Silva, A 2013, ‘ Does Pilates-Based Exercise Improve Posutral Alignment in Adult Women?’, Women and Health, vol. 53, no. 6, pp. 597-611.
Johnson, L, Putrino, D, James, I, Rodrigues, J, Stell, R, Thickbroom, G & Mastaglia, F 2013, ‘The effects of a supervised Pilates training programme on balance in Parkinson’s disease’, Advances in Parkinson’s Disease, vol. 2, no. 2.
Kloubec, J 2010, ‘PIlates for improvement of muscle endurance, flexibility, balance and posture, Journal of Strength and Conditioning, vol. 24, no. 3, pp. 661-667.
Korkmaz, N 2010, ‘Effects of Pilates exercises on the social physical concern of patients with fibromyalgia syndrome: a pilot study’, Turkish Journal of Rheumatology, vol. 25, no. 4, p. 201.
Rydeard, R, Leger, A & Smith, D 2006, ‘Pilates-Based Therapeutic Exercise: Effect on Subjects With Nonspecific Chronic Low Back Pain and Functional Disability: A Randomized Controlled Trial’ Journal of orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, vol. 37, no. 7, pp.472-484.
Surbala,L, Khuman, R, Nambi, G & Kalpesh, S 2013, ‘Pilates in Functional Balance and Quality of Life in Sub-Acute Stroke Subjects – A Randomized Controlled Study’, International Journal of Health Science Rehabilitaiton, vol. 2 no. 4, pp. 204-211.
van der Linden, M, Bulley, C, Geneen, L, Hooper, J, Cowan, P & Mercer, T 2014, ‘Pilates for people with multiple sclerosis who use a wheelchair: feasibility, efficacy and participant experiences’, Disability and Rehabilitation, vol. 36, no. 11, pp. 932-939.
