Effects of Pilates Intervention on Knee Strengthening in Recreational Older Adult Dancers / Yu-Tzu Lin (2023)

Purpose
This study investigates the effects of 12 sessions (6-week x 2-sessions) Pilates intervention on knee strength and stability in recreational older adult dancers. The study also assesses their perceptions of performance in relation to this supplementary training. Due to the limited duration of the intervention, the study two-tailed alternative hypothesis that the knee strength and stability measures may or may not change after the Pilates intervention. Participant & Method Seven older adult dancers (Six female and one male aged 70.7±4.2) were recruited from several dance companies. They participated in a dance activity at least once per week (Totally 1.5 to 4 hours per week). with no regular Pilates class for at least five months and had no other severe disease or disability. This study used a within-subjects experimental design with a mixed methods approach. Participants underwent a pre-test and post-test of knee strength and stability by Hand-held dynamometer and two-dimensional video analysis. During the 6-week intervention, stability was continuing measured before each session and perceived performance were measured weekly by scale questionnaire. A focus group was conducted at the end of the intervention to gain further insights.
Result
Pilates exercises showed statistically significant improvement in strength and stability from pre-test to post-test, with P values < .05 for both right and left legs, with a large effect size r >0.5. Progress over time in knee stability was observed from repeat measurements. However, there was no notable improvement in perceived performance compared to objective measures.
Conclusion
A six-week Pilates intervention significantly improved objective outcome (knee strength and stability) in older adult dancers, but this duration may not enough for participant to recognise evident improvement in perceived performance.