Effect of Pilates Vs. Yoga on Balance, Cognition and Core Strength in Elderly

Background: In older people, falls have become a major health issue. People aged 65and above are more prone for most frequent accidents which can lead to injury related hospitalisation. Elderly people have many serious health issues and they have several disorders affecting their body at the same time. Pilates is kind of exercise that uses a combination of muscle that increases power, stretches muscle and also concentrate on breathing to develop strength of the trunk muscles and restore muscle balance for physical fitness. Yoga is the active engagement between the mind and body. Yoga focuses specifically on what is exactly happening is the body and where the body is actually moving in space which increases both awareness and proprioception. Objective: To study the effect of Pilates on balance, cognition and core strength. To study the effect of Yoga on balance, cognition and core strength. To compare the effect of Pilates Vs. Yoga on balance, cognition and core strength in elderly. Method: There were two groups Pilates and Yoga. 30 subjects were sequentially divided in both groups. The treatment was given for 3 days a week for 4 weeks. The outcome measures were taken at the beginning and at the end of 4th week. Result: The Pilates group is having statistically significant improvement in balance .The Yoga group is having statistically significant improvement in cognition. The core strength is clinically significant in Pilates group. Conclusion: This study concluded that Pilates and Yoga both are equally effective in improving cognition, balance and core strength at the end of 4 weeks protocol, yoga group showed marked increase in cognition whereas pilates group showed marked increase in balance and core strength