Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences The Scientific Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine 2251-8401 11 6 2021 02 21 Effect of Pilates Exercises on Stable and Unstable Surfaces on the Functional Balance and Core Stability of Older Women Effect of Pilates Exercises on Stable and Unstable Surfaces on the Functional Balance and Core Stability of Older Women 892 905 1101300 10.32598/SJRM.11.6.4 FA Azita Jamalzad Fallah Department of corrective exercises and sport injuries, university of Guilan, Rasht, Iran 0000-0002-3680-7047 Ali Shamsi Majelan Department of Corrective Exercises and Sport Injuries, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran. 0000-0002-8014-9998 Parisa Sedaghati Department of Corrective Exercises and Sport Injuries, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran. 0000-0003-3105-7520 Journal Article 2020 12 21 <strong>Background and Aims </strong>Balance disorders and frequent falling are the important problems in the elderly, which is directly related to changes in their body structure and function. Many studies have been conducted to find new and safe ways to improve the balance of the elderly. This study aims to compare the effects of Pilates exercises on stable and unstable surfaces on the functional balance and core stability of older women.<br /><strong>Methods </strong>In this quasi-experimental study, the study population includes all older women living in private nursing homes, in Rasht, Iran. Of these, 36 women aged 60-75 years were selected by a convenience sampling method and randomly assigned to three groups of control, Pilates on stable surface, and Pilates on unstable surface. The variables were assessed using the Fullerton advanced balance test, timed up & go test, and the McGill core endurance test. Experimental groups performed Pilates exercises for 8 weeks, while the control group performed their routine daily activities. Data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance, t-test and Bonferroni’s post hoc test. The significance level was set at 0.05.<br /><strong>Results </strong>There was a significant difference between the experimental and control groups; however, there was no significant difference between the experimental groups performed exercises on stable and unstable levels (P>0.05) <br /><strong>Conclusion </strong>It is recommended to use Pilates exercises on stable or unstable surfaces for older women, especially residents of nursing homes with low mobility, to achieve their personal autonomy. <strong>Background and Aims </strong>Balance disorders and frequent falling are the important problems in the elderly, which is directly related to changes in their body structure and function. Many studies have been conducted to find new and safe ways to improve the balance of the elderly. This study aims to compare the effects of Pilates exercises on stable and unstable surfaces on the functional balance and core stability of older women.<br /><strong>Methods </strong>In this quasi-experimental study, the study population includes all older women living in private nursing homes, in Rasht, Iran. Of these, 36 women aged 60-75 years were selected by a convenience sampling method and randomly assigned to three groups of control, Pilates on stable surface, and Pilates on unstable surface. The variables were assessed using the Fullerton advanced balance test, timed up & go test, and the McGill core endurance test. Experimental groups performed Pilates exercises for 8 weeks, while the control group performed their routine daily activities. Data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance, t-test and Bonferroni’s post hoc test. The significance level was set at 0.05.<br /><strong>Results </strong>There was a significant difference between the experimental and control groups; however, there was no significant difference between the experimental groups performed exercises on stable and unstable levels (P>0.05) <br /><strong>Conclusion </strong>It is recommended to use Pilates exercises on stable or unstable surfaces for older women, especially residents of nursing homes with low mobility, to achieve their personal autonomy. https://medrehab.sbmu.ac.ir/article_1101300_dbaa8e2db435f07747f829eb73454e58.pdf