Effects of Pilates-based Therapeutic Exercises on the Postural Control

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The Pilates Method (PM) has been widely used in the daily practice of many professionals. It is well known that anticipatory postural adjustments (APAs) have a strong relation with the improvement in performance through motor control improvement. However, no studies have investigate the PM exercises performed with pelvis in different positions on the improvement of performance, APAs and these influences on motor control. This study aims to compare the effects of practicing a single session of Pilates-based therapeutic exercises with posterior pelvic tilt and neutral position of the pelvis on the APAs of elderly subjects.

Official Title
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Effects of Pilates-based Therapeutic Exercises on the Postural Control

Conditions
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Motor Disorders

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Pelvis Retroverted
* Other: Pelvis in Neutral Position
* Other: Aerobic exercise


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: no history of previous abdominal or spine surgery in the last two years no history of low back pain in the past 2 years (as incapacitate pain lasting at least seven days) no neurological disorder diagnosis Exclusion Criteria: significant postural asymmetry (misalignment that exceed 2 cm of the anterior superior iliac spine)

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 60 Years
Maximum Age: 90 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Female

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Pelvis Retroverted<br>Pilates-based therapeutic exercises performed with a posterior pelvic tilt | Other: Pelvis Retroverted<br>* Pilates-based therapeutic exercises with the pelvis retroverted - Exercises executed with the retroverted pelvis, including the Footwork (toes, arched, heels, tendon stretch), Hundred, Coordination, Frog, Leg Circles (performed at the Universal Reformer apparatus ); Double Leg Stretch (performed at the Mat apparatus); Arm Spring Series (Performed at the Cadillac apparatus); The Wall Series (Performed at the Wall).<br>|
| Experimental: Pelvis in Neutral Position<br>Pilates-based therapeutic exercises performed with a neutral position of the pelvis | Other: Pelvis in Neutral Position<br>* Pilates-based therapeutic exercises with the pelvis in neutral position - Exercises executed with the retroverted pelvis, including the Footwork (toes, arched, heels, tendon stretch), Hundred, Coordination, Frog, Leg Circles (performed at the Universal Reformer apparatus ); Double Leg Stretch (performed at the Mat apparatus); Arm Spring Series (Performed at the Cadillac apparatus); The Wall Series (Performed at the Wall).<br>|
| Active Comparator: Control Group<br>Aerobic exercise performed on a treadmill | Other: Aerobic exercise<br>* Aerobic exercises (walking) performed on a treadmill.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Balance via Center of Pressure (COP) displacement assessed by force platform |  | change pre to post-treatment (at least 40 min) |