The Effects of Regular Pilates Exercise on Long-Term and Short-Term Memory of the Elderly

In today’s world, the issue of physical and psychological health and well-being of the elderly is one of the most important global concerns. Evidence suggests that physical activity can improve mental and cognitive performance and also play a role in preventing cognitive function decline. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of regular Pilates exercises on long-term and short-term memory of the elderly. This research was a semi-experimental with pre-test and post-test design and control group. The statistical population of this study included all elderly people living in the elderly homes of Alborz province in 1396. 30 elderly people aged 60 years and above were selected from the Kahrizak Care Center in Alborz province as convenient samples, according to the entry criteria, and were randomly divided into two groups of experimental (n = 15) and control (n = 15). The Wechsler Memory Scale was used as a tool in this research. The experimental group was intervened during 24 sessions of an hour (Pilates exercise: introduction, breathing and standing, level 1 exercises, single leg circle, shoulder bridge, single leg stretch, double legs stretch, spine stretch forward, cool down). Data were analyzed using covariance analysis. The results shows that Pilates exercises result in a significant improvement in short-term memory of elderly women (p