Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate effect of Pilates exercises on Y-Balance test components in women cardiac patients after open-heart surgery.
Methodology: 22 women with heart disease were selected and randomized into equal experimental group (n=11, mean & standard deviation, age 60.4±8.8 years, height 157.5±6 cm, weight 77.5±13 kg) and control group (n=11, mean & standard deviation, age 62.8±8.1 years, height 154.4±3 cm, weight 77.4±9.5 kg). Before the training were started, the dynamic balance of all patients measured by using Y-balance test. The experimental group for eight weeks, three sessions per week and each session began an hour to do Pilates exercises, but the control group received no exercise intervention. The data were analyzed by dependent and independent t-test.
Results: Anterior balance of experimental group before (43.83) and after (49.82), the Pilates exercises significantly increased (P<0.05), but in the control group between pretest (37.7) and post test (38.9), no significant difference was observed (P>0.05). Generally, significant differences were observed in the average anterior balance of experimental group compared to the control group (P<0.05, T=2.32). Posterior–internal balance of experimental group before (23.42) and after (33), the Pilates exercises significantly increased (P<0.05), but in the control group between pretest (25.53) and post test (23.9), no significant difference was observed (P>0.05). Overall, significant differences were observed in the average Posterior– internal balance of experimental group compared to the control group (P<0.05, T=3.2). Posterior-external balance of experimental group before (28.89) and after (37.9), the Pilates exercises significantly increased (P>0.05), but in the control group between pretest (28.7) and post test (28.5), no significant difference was observed (P>0.05). Generally, significant differences were observed in the average Posterior-external balance of experimental group compared with the control group (P<0.05, T=3.4).
Discussion: It can be concluded that Pilates exercise cause improved all components of the Y-balance test. So Pilates exercises can be recommended to improve the dynamic balance in these patients.