Comparing the Effects of Yoga and Pilates Exercises on Muscle Strength, Fall-efficacy, and Working Memory of Elderly Women with Mild Cognitive Impairment in Daily Care Centers

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Behavioral and Cognitive Sciences in Sport, Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

2 . Department of Behavioral and Cognitive Sciences in Sport, Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

10.22084/rsr.2025.30559.1766

Abstract

Background and Aim: Aging can have negative physical and psychological consequences. The study's aim was to examine the effects of Pilates and Yoga exercises on muscular strength, fall self-efficacy, and working memory of rehabilitation center-dwelling older women with mild cognitive impairment.
Methods: From rehabilitation centers-dwelling, older women with mild cognitive impairment in Tabriz city, 34 participants were selected conveniently and divided into two experimental Pilates (n=17) and Yoga (n=17), randomly. Subjects, in the pre-test, performed the 30-second chair stand test, Wechsler Digit Span Test, and Falls Efficacy Scale-International. Both groups participated in the exercise for 24 sessions (6 weeks, 3 60-minute sessions per week). Forty-eight hours after the last training session, a post-test similar to the pre-test was administered. Data were analyzed using Mixed ANOVA and Independent Samples T-Test, using SPSS-27 software.
Results: A Significant differences observed between the mean pre-test and post-test scores for lower limb strength (p<0.001, η² = 0.734), fear of falling (p˂0.001 and η² = 0.708) and working memory (p<0.001, η² = 0.411) but no significant difference was found between the mean scores of the two groups (Pilate vs Yoga) in lower extremity strength (p = 0.369, η² = 0.029), fear of falling (p = 0.114, η² = 0.087), and working memory (p = 0.189, η² = 0.061).
Conclusion: Based on the findings, the use of both Yoga and Pilates is recommended for enhancing lower extremity muscle strength, working memory, and fall self-efficacy in elderly women with mild cognitive impairment.

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Journal for Research in Sport Rehabilitation
Volume 13, Issue 25 - Serial Number 25
September 2025
Pages 131-148

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