Influence of the pilates mat practice on the sarcopenia

Abstract

Some pilates method benefits have been demonstrated, as the improvement of some gait and balance parameters in elderly subjects (Newell et al., 2012). On the other hand, the literature (Waters et al., 2010; Vogel et al., 2009; Sundell, 2011; Mayer et al., 2011) shows that exercise reduces the effects of sarcopenia. Thus, the purpose of this study was to assess the pilates practice influence on sarcopenia in elderly. Thirty subjects were allocated into 2 groups attending to their lifestyle: pilates practice participants (n= 15) and sedentary subjects (n=15). Anthropometric tape was used in order to determine the perimeters, while a skin-fold caliper was employed to measure the skin-folds. Finally, grip strength was obtained using a hand dynamometer. Statistical analyzes were performed with SPSS software package, v. 15.0. No significant differences (p ≤ 0,05) were reported between the groups, although the subjects who practiced pilates showed higher values of muscle mass. According to these parameters, pilates practice is not effective to reduce the sarcopenia, although it is necessary to extend the sample and study other parameters of the aging.