The Effect of Pilates Exercise on the Static Balance of Teenage Female Students

Background: Lack of balance is one of the side effects of inactivity during adolescence, which plays an important role in the physical health of people in adolescence and adulthood. Pilates as a new but low-cost exercise by strengthening the body, mind and muscle plays an important role in improving static balance. Therefore, this study was conducted with the aim of investigating the effect of Pilates exercise on the static balance of teenage female students. Methods: This experimental study was conducted on ۵۰ female students in Gorgan city. The students, who had been selected by simple random sampling method, were at the age range of ۱۱-۱۵ years and after selection were divided into two groups of intervention (Pilates) and control. Stork test was used to measure static balance before and after the intervention. In the Pilates group, ۸ training sessions (۳۰-۴۵ minutes) were performed once a week for ۸ weeks. The data was analyzed by descriptive statistics (table, mean, standard deviation) and inferential statistics (paired t-test, independent t-test and ANCOVA) at the significant level of ۰.۰۵. Results: There was no significant difference in the static balance of the right and left legs between the two Pilates and control groups before the intervention. But after the intervention, a significant difference was observed in the static balance of the right and left legs between the two groups. ANCOVA test showed a significant difference by removing the effect of pre-test (P < ۰.۰۱, Eta=۰.۴۲). Conclusion: Pilates exercise increased the static balance of female students. Therefore, community health nurses and instructors can use this modern and new exercise method, which can be implemented in limited facilities and space, to increase physical activity and static balance of female students.

کلیدواژه ها:

Pilates ، Static Balance ، Students ، Girl ، Teenager