The Effects of Pilates on the Elderly: An Integrative Review

Abstract Introduction: Pilates is considered a form of exercise that aims to improve flexibility, resistance, strength, balance and coordination. As a result, many elderly people have tried the method seeking to improve or maintain their health. Objective: The present study aimed to review the effects of Pilates on the elderly. Methods: An integrative review was carried out that studied elderly persons undergoing an intervention based on the Pilates method, combined or not with other techniques. The guiding question considered existing studies in literature that evaluated the effects of Pilates on the elderly. Searches of the MEDLINE (PubMed), Scopus and Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) electronic databases were conducted in May 2014. Results: Of a total of 445 studies found, 17 articles were included. Several variables were analyzed, with balance and the risk of falling described most frequently. Conclusions: The most studied variables were balance and the risk of falling and there was consensus among the studies regarding the improvement that Pilates caused in these variables. There was also agreement about increased flexibility, but controversy continues to surround the other effects reported in literature, or the data is isolated and therefore inconclusive. Among the studies found, most were experimental, and there were only two randomized controlled trials. The performance of more clinical trials featuring high quality methodological approaches addressing the theme is recommended, so that systematic reviews with meta-analysis may be performed, ensuring greater reliability of the results suggested in this study