The purpose of the master's thesis was to determine the differences between women who have been engaged in pilates practice for many years (experimental group), with women who have never met pilates practice (control group). The study included 30 women aged 30 to 68 years. In each group there were 15 women of the same age. The method of observation was used for the analysis of body posture. Due to subjectivity, we helped with the findings of another assessor. Using the optical background with the net and the center of gravity, we analyzed the body position of the measurements from 3 different positions (from the side, from the front, from the behind). We also obtained data on their lifestyle with the questionnaire.
We found that the experimental group has a better body posture than a control group and a better position of body segments. 86,7 % of the measurements corresponded to the given conditions and thus ranked in the group with normal body posture, unlike the control group, where only 20,0 % of the normal-body measurements corresponded to the conditions. The differences were already present in the position of the feet, ankles and knees, in the position of the pelvis, the lumbar and the thoracic part of the spine, and in the neck of the spine and head. In all positions, the experimental group had fewer irregularities than a control group, so the effect of long-term pilates exercise was effective.
We also found that the experimental group has a better lifestyle. 14 measurements have a good lifestyle and only 8 measurements in the control group. The experimental group, in addition to engaging in pilates practice, devotes more time to sports activities, from 1 to 7 times a week. The experimental group also eats more healthily, is more satisfied with its body weight and more positive about its health than the control group. Both groups have trouble sleeping and overcoming stress. In the experimental group, measurements face with the problems in the spine, shoulders and hips. These problems are less complex than the problems in the control group. They can be eliminated or facilitated by regular pilates exercise.
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