Roller M, et al. - The consequence of Pilates exercises using a Reformer was scrutinized on the fall risk, balance and mobility, self-efficacy, and active range of motion in adults aged 65 and over, who were at-risk for falls. Once a week use of Pilates Reformer exercises for 10 weeks turned out to reduce the fall risk. It exhibited marked improvements in static and dynamic balance, functional mobility, balance self-efficacy, and lower extremity ankle dorsiflexion active range of motion (AROM) in the elderly. In contrast, the control group did not report any notable improvements in any measures. The efficacy of Pilates Reformer exercises was established compared to no exercise intervention at improving hip and ankle AROM.

Methods

• The eligible subjects were 55 candidates (27 Pilates intervention, 28 control; 38 females, 17 males; mean age 77.6 years, range 65-95).
• They were randomly allocated to either a Pilates Reformer intervention group or a control group (no intervention).
• The intervention group attended a Pilates Reformer exercise program in a group format once a week over a 10-week period.
• The primary outcome measures comprised of the Sensory Organization Test (SOT) composite scores on the NeuroCom system, Timed Up-and-Go (TUG), and Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) scale.
• Adaptation Test (ADT), straight leg raise, hip extension, and ankle dorsiflexion active range of motion (AROM), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and 10 Meter Walk Test (10MWT) were the secondary outcome measures.

Results

• A notable interaction was found between group and time on the TUG, BBS, 10MWT, and SLR, hip extension, and ankle dorsiflexion AROM measurements.
• Over time, the Pilates intervention group displayed considerable improvement in their scores on all mentioned measures.
• On the other hand, individuals of the control group did not (P ≤ 0.05).
• There was a marked improvement in the AROM, between groups following the Pilates intervention for hip extension, left SLR, and right ankle dorsiflexion.