Short- Term Pilates Exercise Intervention and Its Impact on Functional Movement in Healthy Middle-Aged Adults
Date of Award
Spring 6-19-2024
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Kinesiology (EdD)
Department
Kinesiology
First Advisor
Stephanie Hamilton
Second Advisor
Aaron Aslakson
Third Advisor
Katie Fischer
Abstract
This study aimed to examine a short- term Pilates exercise intervention and its impact on
functional movement in healthy middle-aged adults. The research included 24 healthy, middle- aged adults from 40-59 years. Participants were divided into an experimental group (Pilates
Group= PG, n=17) to perform Pilates exercise four days a week and control group (CG, n=7). The video-based, 6-week Pilates intervention evaluated fundamental movement patterns using the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) which is comprised of seven separate tests. Total FMS scores and scores of the seven tests were analyzed pre and post-intervention. Statistical analyses used the SPSS program. P values of less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. A mixed model ANOVA was selected to examine pre and post-FMS total scores between and within the PG and CG groups, and to evaluate between and within group differences in the seven FMS tests. The total FMS scores improved significantly for the PG group (mean: 12.12 to 15.71) and did not improve in the CG group (mean: 16.00 to 15.57). The seven tests for the PG group pre to post-test: Deep squat (mean: 1.65 to 2.12), hurdle step (mean: 1.47 to 2.06), inline lunge (mean: 1.94 to 2.47), shoulder mobility (mean: 1.29 to 1.88), active straight-leg raise (mean: 2.59 to 2.82), trunk stability push-up (mean: 1.88 to 2.47), and rotary stability (mean: 1.29 to 1.88). The present findings suggest that Pilates exercise is effective in improving fundamental movement patterns in healthy middle-aged adults.