The Effect of 12-Week Pilates Exercises on Depression and Balance Associated with Falling in the Elderly

AbstractThis study investigated the efficiency of 12-week Pilates exercises on depression and balance associated with falling in the elderly. Before training, the thirty female elderly (in experimental and control groups) were given a Geriatric Depression Scale to assess their depression and functional reach and timed-up-and-go tests to evaluate the balance. Then, the experimental group participated in Pilates exercises and had a test afterwards. Results of Covariance showed the experimental groups experienced a decrease in depression (19.801%), time for functional reach test (16.703%), and timed-up-and-go tests (7.263%). Actually, Pilates exercises decreased depression and improved the balance related to falling in participants