Comparison of the effects of clinical pilates and aerobic exercise training on physical performance, mood state and social status in the elderly with mild cognitive impairment

This study was planned to compare the effects of clinical Pilates and aerobic exercise training on physical performance, mood and social status in the elderly with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). 47 elderly people between the ages of 65-74 and whose The Mini-Mental State Examination score was between 18-23 were included in this study. There were 16 people in the first group, 15 in the second group and 16 in the third group. Clinical Pilates training was applied to the first group and moderate intensity aerobic exercise training to the second group for 12 weeks. In the control group, no exercise intervention was made during the same period. Balance (Berg Balance Scale), physical performance (Short Physical Performance Battery), functional exercise capacity (6 Minute Walk Test), abdominal muscle endurance (Sit-Up test), muscle strength (hand dynamometer) test were used to evaluate physical and functional performance. In addition, cognitive status (Mini-Mental State Examination), mood (Profile of Mood States) and social status (Social Connectedness Scale) were evaluated. In addition, serum BDNF, IGF-1 and creatinine values were analyzed. At the end of exercise training, it was observed that both clinical Pilates and aerobic exercise training increased functional exercise capacity, cognitive status, BDNF and creatinine levels. In addition, while clinical Pilates training increased balance, abdominal muscle endurance, muscle strength and social connectedness scores, aerobic exercise training also increased IGF-1 levels (p <0.05). In terms of the developmental differences provided by exercise training, it was determined that clinical Pilates training was superior in improving the endurance of the abdominal muscles and aerobic exercise training in improving functional exercise capacity (p <0.05). Since clinical Pilates training has a similar effect to aerobic exercise training in increasing functional exercise capacity, cognitive status, BDNF and creatinine levels, it also improves balance, abdominal muscle endurance, muscle strength and social connectedness, so it is an alternative to aerobic exercise training in terms of these parameters.