The Effect of Yoga and Pilates Exercises on the Motor Ability of Female Elderly during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Introduction: The present study aims to investigate the effect of yoga and Pilates exercises on the motor ability of female elderly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: The research method was quasi-experimental with a pretest-posttest design along with a control group. The statistical population was all the female elderly of Yazd city in elderly care and welfare centers. For statistical sampling, by referring to elderly care and welfare centers, a list of elderly (over 60 years old) of Yazd city was prepared and those who were willing to participate in the study were selected and randomly divided into 3 groups of 12 people, including yoga, Pilates, and control groups. Measurement tools included a motor ability test. The yoga and Pilates groups performed 6-week interventions, the control group did not perform any exercise interventions during the study, and only pre-test and post-test were taken from this group. Results: The results of the LSD test showed that the motor ability variable in the post-test had the best performance in the Pilates group. The results of the correlated t-test showed that the two Pilates and yoga groups in the post-test showed better motor ability compared to the pre-test. However, in the control group, there was no significant change from pre-test to post-test. Conclusion: By examining these studies, it can be said that functional interventions will probably have a positive effect on the performance of fine movements of different groups, especially the elderly.