Effects of Pilates Exercises on Balance and Gait in School Children

The school children often spend prolonged hours in sedentary activities and may not engage in sufficient physical exercise A sedentary lifestyle among school-going children is a growing concern in modern society. Children are spending more time sitting down and less time being physically active. This can lead to a variety of health problems, including obesity, poor posture, and a lack of cardiovascular fitness. Postural control is crucial for children's balance, gait, and functional tasks, and core stability and hip muscle strength play significant roles in maintaining proper posture and facilitating movement. Pilates is a popular exercise program known for improving core strength, balance, flexibility, and posture. Understanding the potential benefits of Pilates exercises on muscle strength and postural control in this population is essential, considering the sedentary lifestyles of many school children. Limited research has examined the effectiveness of Pilates exercises in school-aged children This randomized controlled trial will be conducted in schools in Daska City Govt. girls high school Raj okay Tehsil DASKA, Govt Girls elementary school KOT JANDHU Tehsil DASK e.g over a duration of six months. The sample size will consist of 96 children aged 6 to 9 years, divided equally into a control group and an experimental group. The inclusion criteria specify children without acute illnesses or injuries, within the normal BMI range, and free from cognitive impairments or chronic medication use. The control group will receive exercises that will focus on flexibility, strength, and endurance targeting postural stability for 45 minutes, while the experimental group will receive program of exercises including 15 minutes of conventional exercise along(strengthening, flexibility exercises) with 30 minutes of Pilates excercises including ( back twists, single leg circles, standing splits, alternate toe touches, ball leg lifts) for 3 times a week, of Pilates exercises aimed at improving lower-limb strength, flexibility, and coordination. Assessments will be conducted at baseline, 4th week, and 8th-week using measures such as the Pediatric Berg Balance Scale, walking speed assessment, FRT.

The sample size will consist of 96 children aged 6 to 9 years, divided equally into a control group and an experimental group. The inclusion criteria specify children without acute illnesses or injuries, within the normal BMI range, and free from cognitive impairments or chronic medication use. The control group will receive exercises that will focus on flexibility, strength, and endurance targeting postural stability for 45 minutes, while the experimental group will receive program of exercises including 15 minutes of conventional exercise (strengthening, flexibility exercises) along with 30 minutes of Pilates exercises including ( back twists, single leg circles, standing splits, alternate toe touches, ball leg lifts) for 3 times a week. Each session will be started with a 5-minute warm-up and concluded with a 5-minute cool-down. Pilates exercises aimed at improving lower-limb strength, flexibility, and coordination. Assessments will be conducted at baseline, 4th week, and 8th-week using measures such as the Paediatric Berg Balance Scale, walking speed assessment, FRT. This randomized controlled trial will be conducted in schools in Daska City Govt. girls high school Raj okay Tehsil DASKA, Govt Girls elementary school KOT JANDHU Tehsil DASK e.g over a duration of six months.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Children between the ages of 6 and 9 years
* Both male and female students.
* Students with normal BMI.
* Students willingness for participation.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Students with cognitive impairments.
* Students with conditions such as chronic fatigue, myalgia, limb deformity or any orthopedic condition.
* Students who are currently taking any form of medication for chronic illnesses.
* Students with limb deformities e.g flat foot, genuvelgum, genuvarum and leg length discrepancy.
* Students with any type of psychological problem.
* Children who have participated in similar Pilates or physical therapy exercise programs targeting balance and gait in the past six months