A influência do método pilates nas atividades de vida diária do idoso: revisão de literatura

Abstract

The process of aging is a cause for various physiological changes in the human body, in a way that is both progressive and irreversible, generating great loss of bodily functions. Said changes arising from aging may predispose the elderly to a greater risk of falls and, thereafter, fractures or other long-term recovery musculoskeletal injuries. In order to minimize this process of functional decay, studies have been showing the efficiency of the inclusion of physical activity in the routine of the elderly, being that, among the proposed activities, one that has been featured for its benefits is the Pilates method. Thus, the purpose of this present study is to investigate the influence of the Pilates method in its functionality and autonomy of the method-practicing elderly. This is a bibliographic review, carried out by the following databases: SCIELO, LILACS, ACADEMIC GOOGLE and PUBMED, research taken from articles published in Portuguese and/or English between 2011 and 2017. Only studies on osteoarticular disorders were selected, amongst which were chosen merely observational and experimental works as to analyze how the Pilates Method would interfere upon the health of the elderlyregarding the levels of muscle strength, balance, flexibility and functional autonomy, and whether there was interference in the quality of life of such demographics. It is concluded that the Pilates Method is significantly contributive to the functional autonomy of the elderly, providing such persons a progressive improvement in their activities of everyday life.