Effect of Pilates versus resistance training on physical fitness in older adults

Introduction : Aging causes decline in various systems leading to affect physical fitness. It is necessary to implement new ways to improve physical fitness. Pilates training (PT) increases muscular control, strength and flexibility and resistance training (RT) works on strength and endurance. But how it affects in the older people is unclear. Hence the objective of this study was to compare the effect of Pilates and Resistance training on physical fitness in older adults. Methods: This experimental study was conducted on 47 participants who participated into two groups: PT (n = 23) and RT (n = 24). Both training was given for 3 times/week for 6 weeks. Outcome measures were body composition (body fat, body weight, and body mass index), Strength (pushup test, squat test), flexibility (sit and reach test, shoulder and wrist elevation test), muscle endurance (one-minute sit to stand test) and cardio-respiratory endurance (six-minute walk test.) Level of significance was 95%. Results: Within group analysis of PT and RT showed non-significant improvement in body composition ( p < 0.05) but significant improvement in strength, muscle flexibility, muscle endurance ( p > 0.01). PT showed significant difference in cardio-respiratory endurance ( p = 0.02) whereas RT didn’t show the same ( p = 0.23). When both groups were compared, PT showed more improvement in flexibility and cardio-respiratory endurance ( p < 0.05) whereas RT showed significantly better improvement in muscle strength and muscle endurance ( p < 0.05). Conclusion : The study concluded that both Pilates and resistance training can be used to improve physical fitness depending on the desired effect needed to improve specific components of physical fitness. Keywords : Pilates, Resistance Training, Older Adults, Physical Fitness