EFFECTS OF EIGHT WEEKS PILATES EXERCISES ON BODY COMPOSITION OF MIDDLE AGED SEDENTARY WOMEN

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of 8 weeks regular Pilates mat-work exercises program on body composition of sedentary middle aged women. Method. The total of 20 healthy middle aged sedentary women voluntarily participated in this study. The mean age and body weight of subjects in control and experiment group were 41,2+8,67 years and 67,1 + 16,106 kg. , 38,5+3,89 years and 62,8 + 8,766 kg respectively. While experiment group performed three exercise sessions per week and each session lasted 45 minutes at %40-60 intensity, control group did not participate in any activity during study. All subjects’, height, weight, waist-hip ratio, body mass index, body fat percentage and lean body mass were measured by standardized tests and equipments before and after exercise program. The data were analyzed with Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test by using SPSS 10.0 Package Program. Results. As a results of this study; significant decrements were observed in percent body fat of women in Pilates exercise group (p<0,05). Conclusions. As conclusion it could be said that; this type of regular pilates exercises are effective on reducing percent body fat of middle aged sedentary women.