Investigation of the Effects of Eight Weeks of Pilates and Step-Aerobic Exercises on Physical Performance and Self Esteem Scores of Females

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of eight weeks of step- aerobics and pilates training on sturctural, biomotor and psychological variables of sedentary women. A total of 20 women (39.5±3.7 years average age) participated in the study voluntarily. Participants were randomly divided into two experiment groups (step aerobics n:10, pilates n:10). Body height and body weight, flexibility, balance, leg and abdominal strength, and selfesteem scale (Marsh 1994) were measured before and after the eight week training. SPSS was used for analysis. The results showed statistical differences in flexibility, balance, leg strength, abdominal strength, BMI, health, general physical condition, appearance, strength and self confidence in comparisons of the pretest – posttest measurements of the pilates group (p 0.05). In conclusion, it is possible to say that eight weeks of step aerobics and pilates training has positive and similar effects on structural, biomotor and psychological variables of sedentary women.