Journal of Exercise Physiology in Special Populations

The effect of 8 weeks of Pilates training with two different frequencies and a non-training period on balance and pain in women with osteoarthritis

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 A brilliant student of Ph.D. in Sports Physiology, Mohaghegh Ardabili University, Iran

2 Associate Professor of Exercise Physiology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran

3 University of Mohaghegh Ardabili

Abstract

purpose: Osteoarthritis is a non-inflammatory joint disease in movable joints due to destruction of articular cartilage occurs with new ossification at the surface and periphery of the joints involved. The aim of this study was the effect of 8 weeks Pilates exercises with two different frequencies and subsequent detraining on the symptoms of osteoarthritis in women with osteoarthritis.
method:
Twenty-six elderly women with knee osteoarthritis with an age range of 50-65 years, (average weight 70±1 kg and average height 156±9 cm) were selected by available sampling method. and were randomly divided into two experimental groups (18 people) and a control group (8 people), the exercise protocol was implemented for 8 weeks and 3 sessions each week for 60 minutes. SPSS version 22 statistical software was used to analyze the data.
Results: The results showed that the effect of time factor and the interactive effect of time-group for improving pain intensity with a frequency of five sessions compared to a frequency of three sessions had a significant decrease (P=0.027). Also, the effect of time was significant for static and dynamic balance (P<0.049). The time-group interaction effect for static balance showed a significant decrease (P=0.011).
Discussion and Conclusion: It seems that five exercise sessions of pilates per week have more positive effects compared to three exercise sessions in improving balance and reducing pain intensity in women with knee osteoarthritis.

Keywords

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Journal of Exercise Physiology in Special Populations
Volume 2, Issue 2
September 2025
Pages 1-16