February 2017 NUI Galway Recruiting Participants for Ongoing Pilates Study

Study on the Efficacy of Pilates in Falls Prevention

NUI Galway is recruiting additional participants for a study on the efficacy of Pilates in falls prevention in healthy older adults over 65 years old. The outcomes assessed will include questionnaires and tests of physical activity, balance, foot pressure, mobility, gait, cognition and falls.

Pilates consists of six principles to engage during exercise to control the mind and body; control, concentration, centring, flow, breathing and precision. Pilates works with the deepest muscle and helps to control the postural in many daily activities such as patterns of gait in walking, speed and mobility. 

One hour classes will take place in Áras Moyola twice weekly.  There will be a total of 24 sessions for each group for the main study and participants are advised to wear comfortable clothes for exercises.

Conducting the study is Larissa Donatoni da Silva, an NUI Galway PhD Health Science, physiotherapist and Pilates instructor: “Our study is looking at the effect that participating in Pilates has on balance, breathing, stretching, and coordination. In particular, we are interested in people over 65 years old, who enjoy doing exercises. We want to measure your level of function with questionnaires and tests so that we can compare it with people who are not practising Pilates.”

The free Pilates exercise classes will be mat Pilates with accessories such as balls, bands, and others. Participants will get a home Pilates exercise programme and a DVD with exercises demonstrated by the Pilates instructor.

Those interested in participating will need to attend an initial meeting on Monday, 27 February at 1pm or Friday, 3 March at 10am in Áras na Mac Léinn at NUI Galway, where Larissa will explain the study.

For more detail or to participate in the study contact Larissa Donatoni da Silva at laridonatoni@gmail.com or 089 4592533 between 9am to 6pm weekdays.

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