Functional capacity among older women practicing solo Pilates method

Capacidade funcional entre mulheres idosas praticantes do método Pilates no solo

Abstract

This study compared the functional capacity of older women practicing solo Pilates in Maringá-PR according to sociodemographic profile. It was a cross-sectional study conducted with 50 older women, with an average age of 65.9±5.2 years, practicing solo Pilates at one of the city's sports centers. Functional capacity assessment was performed using the Functional Autonomy Battery from the Latin American Development Group for Maturity (GDLAM). Data analysis was conducted using Shapiro-Wilk, Mann-Whitney U, and One-Way ANOVA tests. Significance was set at p < 0.05. The median functional capacity index was 29.77, indicating weak functional capacity. It was found that older women with partners performed the chair rise and house move test in less time compared to those without partners (p = 0.025). White older women performed the dress and undress T-shirt test in less time compared to black older women (p = 0.010). In conclusion, the functional capacity of the evaluated older women practicing solo Pilates exercises was considered weak. Marital status and skin color may be intervening factors in the functional capacity of these older women.