Author and graduation date: Jill Marie WIMER, May, 1999

Committee members: Jeanne Nichols (Chair), Patricia Patterson, Patricia Dintrone

Thesis title: The Effects of Functional Resistance Trianing on Muscular Strength, Balance and Functional Abilities of Older Adults

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of pilates-based training to resistance plus flexibility training on skeletal muscle strength and flexibility. Thirty-one men and women ranging in age from 65 to 81 years (mean = 69.5 + 4.1 year) began the study, and twenty-four subjects completed the 10-week program. Subjects were randomly assigned to a strength plus flexibility training group (SBF, n = 9), a pilates-based training group (PBT, n = 9), or a nonactive control group (CON, n = 6). Pre- and post-test measurements were performed on dynamic strength and range of motion. Repeated measures analyses demonstrated a significant interaction between groups (p = 0.02) for knee extension strength measured by the one repetition maximum technique. Scheffe post-hoc analysis indicated SPF to be significantly different from both the PBT and the CON groups. Analyses of covariance indicated a significant group effect (p = 0.032) for ankle plantar flexion. Scheffe post-hoc analysis indicated SFIF to be significantly different from the CON group only. Mean percentage change scores for strength measures of the sPF group ranged from +2% for ankle dorsal flexion to +18% for knee extension. PBT showed no significant improvements in skeletal muscular strength. Repeated measures of analyses and analyses of covariance indicated no significant, differences in flexibility for groups, time, or the interaction. However, both PBT and SPF made impressive gains in hamstrings tightness by 20.78 and 8.88 degrees, respectively. These results suggest that elderly adults who participate in moderate-resistance plus flexibility training can improve knee extension strength over individuals engaged in pilates-based training, ankle plantar flexion over a control, and that flexibility remained unchanged.

Further studies on pilates-based training are needed to determine its effects on skeletal muscle strength and flexibility in the elderly. Furthermore, a perspective study examining pilates-based training and heavy resistance training on isokinetic strength measured at various speeds is recommended.

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