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Effect of Pilates and Taiji Quan Training on Self-Efficacy, Sleep Quality, Mood, and Physical Performance of College Students

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Methods of exercise such as Pilates and taiji quan, which have been shown to have beneficial effects on physical and mental characteristics, have been studied more often in samples of older participants. The purpose of this investigation was to examine the effects of a semester of either Pilates or taiji quan training on perceived self-efficacy, sleep quality and mood, as well as strength and balance in college-age individuals. Self-efficacy was found to be improved in the Pilates and taiji quan groups and there was a trend towards improvement in sleep quality. Mood was found to be improved significantly in the Pilates group while the taiji group showed a trend towards improvement. There were no changes or group differences in the strength or balance measures. Pilates and taiji quan are effective exercise modes to improve mental parameters in college-age individuals.
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Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies (2009) 13, 155163
Bodywork and
Journal of
Movement Therapies
COMPARATIVE CONTROLLED STUDY
Effect of Pilates and taiji quan training on
self-efficacy, sleep quality, mood, and physical
performance of college students
Karen Caldwell, Ph.D.
a,
, Mandy Harrison, Ph.D.
b
,
Marianne Adams, MFA
c
, N. Travis Triplett, Ph.D.
b
a
Department of Human Development and Psychological Counseling, Appalachian State University,
Boone, NC, USA
b
Department of Health, Leisure and Exercise Science, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC, USA
c
Department of Theatre and Dance, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC, USA
Received 3 September 2007; received in revised form 29 November 2007; accepted 4 December 2007
KEYWORDS
Pilates;
Taiji quan;
Perceived
self-efficacy;
Sleep quality;
Mood;
Physical
performance
Summary Methods of exercise such as Pilates and taiji quan, which have been shown
to have beneficial effects on physical and mental characteristics, have been studied
more often in samples of older participants. The purpose of this investigation was to
examine the effects of a semester of either Pilates or taiji quan training on perceived
self-efficacy, sleep quality and mood, as well as strength and balance in college-age
individuals. Self-efficacy was found to be improved in the Pilates and taiji quan groups
and there was a trend towards improvement in sleep quality. Mood was found to be
improved significantly in the Pilates group while the taiji group showed a trend towards
improvement. There were no changes or group differences in the strength or balance
measures. Pilates and taiji quan are effective exercise modes to improve mental
parameters in college-age individuals.
&2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Introduction
In developing his method, Joseph Pilates ‘‘com-
bined the mental focus of and specific breathing of
yoga with the physicality of gymnastics and other
sports’’ (Ungaro, 2002, p. 8) for the ideal of
attaining a complete coordination of body, mind,
and spirit (Gallagher and Kryzanowska, 2000).
The mindbody approach is further elucidated by
the principles (CCCPFB) that Pilates founded his
method on: centering,concentration,control,
precision,flow,and breath (Adamany and Loigerot,
2004;Adams and Quin, 2007;Gallagher and
Kryzanowska, 1999;Siler, 2000;Ungaro, 2004).
ARTICLE IN PRESS
www.intl.elsevierhealth.com/journals/jbmt
1360-8592/$ - see front matter &2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
doi:10.1016/j.jbmt.2007.12.001
Corresponding author. Tel.: +1 828 262 6045;
fax: +1 828 262 2128.
E-mail address: caldwllkl@appstate.edu (K. Caldwell).
Anecdotal evidence suggests that as the Pilates
method increases core strength, the natural flex-
ibility of the spine and limbs returns. However,
there has been little research on the effectiveness
of Pilates exercise and any studies found have been
poorly controlled (Herrington and Davies, 2005).
A recent review of literature identified only three
published clinical trials investigating the effective-
ness of Pilates training in healthy adults (Bernardo,
2007).
Another mindbody method is taiji quan (also
transliterated as tai chi chuan), an ancient Chinese
martial art characterized by slow circular move-
ments, breath regulation, and concentration or
mindfulness. It is a low-impact, moderate-intensity
aerobic exercise (Lan et al., 2004). Most studies of
the effect of taiji quan practice have focused on
middle-aged to older adults and have documented
improvements in health parameters such as im-
mune function, balance, and strength.
Perceived self-efficacy is related to mainte-
nance, effort, and performance of various specific
behaviors, including health-promotion activities
(Bandura, 1997;Noble and Robertson, 1996).
Perceived self-efficacy is one’s judgment of his/
her ability to perform a specific activity. This
judgment is based on four sources of information:
(1) mastery experiences that serve as indicators of
capability; (2) vicarious experiences [observations
of others] that alter efficacy beliefs through
transmission of competencies and comparison with
the attainments of others [if she can do it, I can do
it]; (3) verbal persuasion and social influences that
one possesses certain capabilities [you can dance
very well]; and (4) physiological and affective
states from which people partly judge their
capableness, strength, and vulnerability to dys-
function [my stomach is in knots, I feel exhausted]
(Bandura, 1997).
Research reviewed by Bandura (1997) across a
wide variety of activities shows that, controlling for
ability, one’s reported perceived self-efficacy re-
garding a specific task remains a significant
contributor to performance accomplishment. Using
pre- and post-exercise program self-efficacy and
physical fitness measures, McAuley et al. (1991)
investigated the influence of both short- and long-
term exercise programs on physical activity self-
efficacy, adherence to exercise self-efficacy and
physiological function of middle-aged, previously
inactive adults. Both short- and long-term groups
showed significant gains in physical activity and
adherence self-efficacy as well as significant gains
in physiological functioning.
An additional important health indicator is sleep
quality. Epidemiologic studies have consistently
shown an association between self-reports of
exercise and better sleep, and exercise is often
recommended as an important sleep aid (Hublin
et al., 2001). However, experimental studies
demonstrate that there is no single effect of
exercise on sleep (O’Connor and Youngstedt,
1995;Youngstedt et al., 2003). King et al. (1997)
found a regular moderate-intensity exercise pro-
gram to be effective in improving sleep complaints
of older adults, and Li et al. (2004) found improved
sleep quality in older practitioners of taiji quan.
In addition to the effects of exercise on self-
efficacy and sleep quality, the differential effects
of various types of moderate physical exercise on
mood enhancement are still a question of interest.
A number of studies have shown that changes in
mood and anxiety through physical exercise may be
related to the form of the exercise (Berger and
Owen, 1988, 1992;Jin, 1989, 1992). Taiji quan
practice, with its emphasis on physical and mental
training, has been found to have a positive impact
on mood in a number of these studies, but most of
these are focused on middle-aged to older adults.
The few studies that include college-aged stu-
dents (aged 1830) have generally found positive
effects of taiji quan on the self-assessed physical
and mental health of college students. Jin’s (1989)
study of 33 beginning (average age: 33.279 years)
and 33 experienced (average age: 37.7714.3
years) taiji quan practitioners found that the
practice of taiji quan raised heart rate, increased
noradrenaline excretion in urine, and decreased
salivary cortisol concentration at levels comparable
to those found with moderate exercise. The
subjects also reported improvements in mood and
fatigue. A second study by Jin (1992) focused on the
efficacy of taiji, brisk walking, meditation, and
reading in reducing mental and emotional stress
(n¼96). Mood states were improved and salivary
cortisol levels dropped significantly for all treat-
ments. However, the adrenaline level after taiji
quan exercise dropped more in comparison with
that after meditation, and the noradrenaline level
was higher after taiji quan than after reading. Taiji
participants also reported greater reduction of
state anxiety and enhancement of vigor as com-
pared to the reading control group, but this
discrepancy disappeared when expectancy regard-
ing the outcome of treatments was used as a
covariate. Szabo et al. (1998) compared aerobic
dance, weight training, martial arts, taiji quan,
yoga and music appreciation and found the com-
bined taiji and yoga group reported higher levels of
tranquility than all other exercise groups. This
group also reported lower psychological distress,
fatigue, and exhaustion than participants in the
ARTICLE IN PRESS
K. Caldwell et al.156
martial arts group. Wang et al. (2004) reported on a
3-month intervention of taiji quan in 30 college
students (mean age: 24.2372.74 years). Using a
pre- and post-test design comparing scores on the
multidimensional SF-36v2 health survey question-
naire, general health and bodily pain were sig-
nificantly improved as were the mental health
measures of vitality, role function, and perceptions
of mental health.
Balance plays a critical role in any activity. Static
balance involves minimizing postural sway in a
motionless stance, i.e., sitting or standing while
dynamic balance involves the ability to maintain
control of the center of gravity while moving it over
the base of support, i.e., walking, climbing stairs,
and getting up from a chair. A variety of exercises
have been shown to have a positive effect on
balance especially in older adults. Johnson et al.
(2007) found a significant change in dynamic
balance in healthy adults after completing 10
Pilates-based exercise sessions, and Kaesler et al.
(2007) found improvement in some components of
static and dynamic postural sway in their sample of
older adults. Similar improvements in balance in
older adults have been found in studies of taiji quan
(Busing, 2005;Yuhua et al., 2007).
Therefore, the purpose of this study was to
better understand the effect of Pilates and taiji
quan training in healthy young adults on perceived
self-efficacy, sleep quality, mood, strength, and
balance. Studies of other modes of exercise have
included these variables, but at this point no
studies have documented effects of Pilates or taiji
participation on these variables in the college-age
population.
Methods
Study design
Study participants were recruited from five physi-
cal education classes (three Pilates mat classes and
two taiji quan classes), and two recreation classes
(an outdoor leadership class and a special recrea-
tion class) served as a control group. Subjects were
students at a moderately sized state university in
the fall and spring semesters of one academic year.
The Pilates classes met twice a week for 75 min
each class period or three times per week for
50 min each class period for a 15-week semester.
The instructors was comprehensively trained and
certified in the Pilates method. The Chen style
taiji quan classes met twice a week for 50 min
each session for 15 weeks and followed principles
outlined by Yang (2005). Participants in the
recreation classes were actively involved in their
own preferred forms of exercise outside of class,
but the class content was theoretical. During the
first week of class, at mid-term and at the end of
the semester, students were asked to complete in
class a survey instrument containing self-regulatory
efficacy scales, sleep quality indexes, mood scales,
and demographic questions. At the beginning
and end of the semester, students in five of the
classes (three Pilates, one taiji quan, and one
special recreation) were assessed for balance and
strength.
Procedures
Self-efficacy
A four-item self-regulatory efficacy instrument
(Harrison and McGuire, 2008) was used as well as
a self-efficacy measurement specific to either
Pilates or taiji quan because self-efficacy measures
must be specific to the activity being measured
(Bandura, 1997). Since no measurement tools of
Pilates self-efficacy (PSE) were found, a 14-item,
seven-point Likert-type scale on widely accepted
principles of the Pilates method was developed
(Table 1). Other experienced Pilates practitioners
reviewed the instrument to establish face validity
of the scale, and initial testing resulted in high
inter-item reliability (Cronbach’s alpha ¼.935).
Scores on the PSE scale potentially ranged from
14 to 98 with higher scores indicating greater self-
efficacy. A 12-item Taiji Quan Self-Regulatory
Efficacy Scale (TSE) was also developed and
reviewed by experienced practitioners. Initial
testing resulted in high inter-item reliability (Cron-
bach’s alpha ¼.897). Scores potentially ranged
from 12 to 84 with higher scores indicating greater
self-efficacy.
Sleep quality
The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI; Buysse
et al., 1989) was chosen for this investigation and
consists of 19 self-rated questions related to
normal sleep habits. The possible range of scores
is 021 points with lower scores indicating better
sleep quality. The Pilates group completed the PSQI
at beginning and end of the semester, but the other
groups completed an abbreviated form addressing
only daytime dysfunction and subjective sleep
quality. A PSQI global score 45 has served as a
marker to distinguish sleep disturbances in insom-
nia patients versus controls (Backhaus et al., 2002).
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Effect of Pilates and taiji quan on performance of college students 157
Mood
The Four Dimensional Mood Scale (Huelsman et al.,
1998) was utilized in this investigation and is a 20-
item adjective checklist using a five-point Likert
format (1 ¼not at all, 5 ¼extremely). Scores on
the four scales are the mean response to the items
on the scale: positive energy (six items), tiredness
(seven items), negative arousal (seven items), and
relaxation (nine items). There is evidence for
generally good internal consistency of the scales
as well as concurrent and discriminant validity
(Huelsman et al., 2003).
Strength and balance
A subset of participants (n¼67) were assessed for
lower body back and leg strength through the use of
a back and leg dynamometer. Subjects were asked
to exert three maximal effort isometric pulls while
standing on the dynamometer platform. The
strength reading was obtained from the dynam-
ometer dial and the highest reading used for
analysis.
This smaller group of participants was also
assessed for balance ability when standing on
a force platform on the dominant leg with the
eyes closed. Postural sway was measured during
this postural control test. The test was con-
ducted on a specialized balance platform with a
computer and software package (AMTI Balance
Clinic, Boston, MA, USA) used to record and analyze
the results.
Results
Demographics
Statistical analyses were conducted using the
Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS),
version 14 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). A total of
127 students participated in the study (Pilates
n¼51, taiji quan n¼35, special recreation
n¼41), but data was available at all three points
in time for only 98 participants (Pilates n¼41,
taiji quan n¼29, special recreation n¼28).
A Chi-square on possible differences in gender and
independent t-tests on possible differences in age,
and hours of weekly exercise were non-significant
when the complete data group was compared with
the group eliminated from the study. Participants
included in the study ranged in age from 18 to
32 years of age (mean ¼21.27, S.D. ¼2.24).
Groups differed significantly by gender distribution:
Pilates ¼37 female and 4 male; taiji quan ¼4
female and 25 male; special recreation ¼9 female
and 19 male. An additional initial difference
between the groups was that the special recreation
group reported significantly higher levels of weekly
exercise (mean ¼10.50, S.D. ¼6.72) compared to
the Pilates (mean ¼5.03, S.D. ¼2.89) and taiji
quan groups (mean ¼6.03, S.D. ¼3.90). The fol-
lowing comparisons in the groups across time were
calculated using linear mixed model statistical
analyses using a Toeplitz residual covariance stru-
cture. Mixed model analyses provide a framework
for analyzing data with dependent observations
ARTICLE IN PRESS
Table 1 Items from Pilates self-efficacy (PSE) instrument based on six principles of Pilates.
Principle Item from PSE
Centeringthe ability to focus attention on one small
sensation.
I can move from my core strength. I can maintain
correct posture.
Concentrationability to focus one’s attention as the
mind wills the body into action, or the mind/body
connection.
I can feel the articulation of my spinal column. I can
visualize myself doing the exercises correctly. I can
sense how I am doing the exercises by using an internal
focus. I can modify the exercises as needed.
Controlpromotes injury prevention and is
empowering, mindfulness helps to produce
coordinated results.
I can coordinate smooth movements of my arms and
legs. I can move with a sense of control in movement. I
can lower myself to the floor with control.
Precisionthe ability to avoid sloppy, mindless
movements, increases the likelihood of producing the
desired results.
I can move with a sense of precision in movement. I
can release unnecessary muscle tension.
Flowtransitional ability, the ease from which one
moves from one experience or exercise to the next.
I can smoothly transition from one movement to
another.
Breathawareness and control of the breath can lead
to increased lung capacity, efficiency, coordination of
physical functioning and optimal muscular patterning
in everyday tasks.
I can focus completely on coordinating my breath with
body movements. I am aware of using my breath
efficiently.
K. Caldwell et al.158
using an iterative process of calculating a residual
covariance structure. This results in estimates of
the degrees of freedom for the F-statistics.
Measurements
Self-efficacy
Self-efficacy specific to Pilates as measured by the
PSE increased significantly over the course of the
semester from an initial mean of 64.6 to a final
mean of 88.9 (paired t-test, t(40) ¼13.05,
p¼.0005). Self-efficacy specific to taiji quan as
measured by the TSE also increased over the course
of the semester from an initial mean of 57.6 to a
final mean of 63.2 (t(28) ¼4.504, p¼.0005).
Participants perceived themselves as being more
able to control their movements mindfully at the
end of the semester than at the beginning. Initial
PSE scores and initial self-regulatory efficacy scores
were significantly correlated (r(39) ¼.36, p¼.02),
and TSE scores and initial self-regulatory efficacy
scores correlated at a similar level (r(27) ¼.32,
p¼.09).
A mixed model analysis of self-regulatory
efficacy scores found a significant group effect
(F(2, 99.95) ¼5.135, p¼.008), time effect
(F(2, 117.02) ¼3.201, p¼.044), and group by
time interaction (F(4, 116.92) ¼3.212, p¼.015).
The Pilates group rated their self-regulatory effi-
cacy higher than the special recreation group at the
beginning of the semester, and the Pilates group
scores were significantly higher at the end of
the semester than at the beginning of the class
(Figure 1). Self-regulatory efficacy scores for the
other two groups were essentially unchanged from
the beginning to the end of the semester.
Sleep quality
In the Pilates group sleep quality as measured by
the PSQI showed some improvement from beginning
(n¼40, mean ¼6.22, S.D. ¼3.12) to end of the
semester (mean ¼5.37, S.D. ¼3.58) (t(39) ¼1.891,
p¼.066). Pilates participants were sorted using
the PSQI scores into groups that scored the same as
insomniacs (PSQI45) and normal sleepers. At the
beginning of the semester 52.5% of the Pilates
participants (n¼21) scored in the same range as
insomniacs, but that number had reduced signifi-
cantly by the end of the semester to 35% (n¼14) of
the Pilates participants (w
2
(1, n¼40) ¼9.528,
p¼.002).
Using the abbreviated sleep quality scale (three
items, Cronbach’s alpha ¼.757), a mixed model
analysis of the Pilates classes, taiji quan classes
and only one special recreation class (n¼81) found
no statistically significant differences although the
groupeffectbarelymissedsignicance(F(2, 78.61) ¼
2.749, p¼.07) (Figure 2). One special recreation
class was dropped from this analysis because data
was not available for the three-item sleep quality
items at the end of the semester. The Pilates and
taiji quan groups demonstrated a trend towards
improved sleep quality over the course of the
semester while the special recreation class demon-
strated improved sleep mid-semester and an end of
semester worsening of sleep quality.
Mood
A mixed model analysis of positive mood scores
(positive energy) found significant differences
ARTICLE IN PRESS
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
Pre Mid Post
Time
Sleep quality score
Pilates
Tai j i
Special Rec
* #
Figure 2 Sleep quality scores. Values expressed as
mean7S.E.: , significant difference from pre-test
value; #, significant difference from special recreation
value.
19
20
21
22
23
24
Pre Mid
Time
Self-efficacy score
Pilates
Tai j i
Special Rec
* #
Post
Figure 1 Self-efficacy scores. Values expressed as
mean7S.E.: , significant difference from pre-test
value; ], significant difference from special recreation
value.
Effect of Pilates and taiji quan on performance of college students 159
across time (F(2, 129.58) ¼5.155, p¼.007) and
group by time (F(4, 129.59) ¼2.463, p¼.048).
Initially, the special recreation group positive mood
scores were higher than the Pilates group, but by
the end of the semester, the Pilates positive mood
scores had increased to the same level as the
special recreation group, which remained essen-
tially the same as the beginning of the semester.
The taiji quan group scores trended upward from
the beginning to the end of the semester but not as
much as the Pilates group (Figure 3).
A mixed model analysis of tired mood scores
found no significant differences across group or
time, and the group by time interaction barely
missed statistical significance (F(4, 135.86) ¼2.345,
p¼.058). Using a similar analysis of relaxed mood
scores, significant group (F(2, 95.09) ¼6.442,
p¼.002) and time (F(2, 129.60) ¼6.814, p¼
.002) effects were found. Using estimated marginal
means, the taiji group reported significantly higher
relaxation scores than the Pilates group, and
the Pilates scores at the end of the semester
were significantly higher than at the beginning
(Figure 4).
A mixed model analysis of negative mood scores
found a significant group by time interaction
(F(4, 136.54) ¼3.840, p¼.005). The Pilates and
taiji groups experienced a decrease in negative
mood mid-semester and returned to beginning
semester levels by the end of the semester, while
the special recreation group experienced a spike in
negative mood scores which reduced by the end of
the semester to levels similar to their scores at the
beginning of the semester (Figure 5). In other
words, the difference in groups occurred mid-
semester, and the negative mood scores were
similar at the end of the semester by group as they
had been at the beginning of the semester. Strength and balance
Initial dynamometer measures were correlated to
the age of participants (r¼.24) and the number of
hours participants reported exercising weekly at
the beginning of the semester (r¼.41). Strength
varies by gender, so gender was used as a factor in a
mixed model analysis of the 67 individuals for
whom strength measures were available at both
the beginning and end of the semester. An effect
was found only for gender (F(1, 61) ¼59.773,
p¼.001). When the effects of gender were
considered, there were no differences between
the groups from the beginning to the end of the
semester in terms of leg and back strength as
measured by the dynamometer. Regarding balance,
a mixed model analysis using the 61 individuals
for whom beginning and end of semester mea-
sures were available yielded no group or time
effect.
ARTICLE IN PRESS
3
3.2
3.4
3.6
3.8
Pre Mid Post
Time
Positive mood score
*
Pilates
Tai j i
Special Rec
Figure 3 Positive mood scores. Values expressed as
mean7S.E.: , significant difference from pre-test value
(Pilates group only).
2.8
3
3.2
3.4
3.6
3.8
4
Pre Mid Post
Time
Relaxed mood score
Pilates
Taiji
Special Rec
*
Figure 4 Relaxed mood scores. Values expressed as
mean7S.E.: , significant difference from pre- and
mid-test values (Pilates group only); y, significant
difference from Pilates value.
1.5
1.7
1.9
2.1
2.3
Pre Mid Post
Time
Negative mood score
Pilates
Tai j i
Special Rec
Figure 5 Negative mood scores. Valued expressed as
mean7S.E.: y, significant difference between Pilates and
special recreation group.
K. Caldwell et al.160
Discussion
Overall, the results of this investigation were
similar to other studies performed in older popula-
tions and/or with similar exercise modes (Pilates,
taiji). Study results indicate that students who
participated in Pilates classes experienced signifi-
cant improvements in self-efficacy and positive
mood, with trends towards improved sleep quality
and a reduction in negative mood over the course
of a semester. The taiji group primarily showed
trends of improvement. As expected from previous
studies, there were complex interactions between
the health variables, type of exercise and time of
semester.
Measurements
Self-efficacy
Research across a wide variety of activities shows
that, controlling for ability, self-efficacy regarding
a specific task remains a significant contributor to
performance accomplishment (Bandura, 1997). Our
findings regarding Pilates support those of McAuley
et al. (1991), as we found an increase in self-
regulatory self-efficacy with exercise programs of
varying duration. Interestingly, the taiji group did
not show the same level of increase in self-
regulatory efficacy, although there was an increase
in self-efficacy specific to taiji movements. Li et al.
(2001) also found increases in self-efficacy specific
to taiji movement in participants of a 6-month taiji
program for elderly participants
Sleep
Rates of poor quality of sleep in college students
have varied from study to study depending on
sample and measures of sleep quality used. For
example, 44% of first-year college students in a
study in Taiwan reported sleep problems (Yang
et al., 2003). Rates of poor sleep quality in medical
college students have ranged from 38% to 19% (Feng
et al., 2005;Medeiros et al., 2001). Some studies
have found that sleep quality improves over the
course of semester (Hawkins and Shaw, 1992;
Pilcher and Ott, 1998) while other studies found
the opposite (Brown et al., 2006). The results of
this investigation are in agreement with those
showing nearly half of college students exhibit
some problems with sleep quality. This investiga-
tion also supports the concept of exercise some-
what improving sleep quality overall in young
adults, although the results of this investigation
were not as dramatic as in studies with older
individuals (King et al., 1997;Li et al., 2004).
Mood
Many systems of the body interact in a holistic
manner together with positive and negative moods.
Thayer’s (1989) biopsychological mood theory
anticipates that activities such as exercise or
techniques involving control of thoughts would be
integrally related to mood improvement. Indeed,
the subjects in four studies reported by Thayer
et al. (1994) identified exercise as the most
effective mood-regulating behavior. The greatest
improvement in positive mood was seen in the
Pilates group. However, the participants in this
study had no change in negative or tired mood from
the beginning to the end of the study. The Pilates
and taiji quan groups did show improvement in
negative mood at the mid-term timepoint while the
control group showed a worsening of negative mood
the same time.
Strength and balance
Strength and balance measures were unaffected by
Pilates and taiji training in this age group. There
are likely several reasons for these findings.
College-age individuals are at a peak regarding
strength and balance and highly focused training on
these variables is necessary to elicit any measur-
able change. In older individuals, where the largest
gains are often seen, the exerciser is already at a
physical deficit and the exercise can result in
significant improvements. Although both Pilates
and taiji have strength and balance as components,
the training is not as likely to elicit a measurable
change in this age group.
Conclusions
The results of this study indicate that students who
participated in Pilates classes experienced the
largest improvements in self-regulatory self-effi-
cacy, positive mood, and sleep quality over the
course of a semester. The lack of improvement in
strength and balance measures may be due to the
methods used for measuring these characteristics.
Our results must be interpreted with caution
because of the lack of random assignment to groups
and the uneven gender representation in the
groups.
Acknowledgments
Special thanks to Rebecca Quin for participating as
a Pilates instructor and Karen Callahan for assis-
tance in the statistical analyses.
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Effect of Pilates and taiji quan on performance of college students 161
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ARTICLE IN PRESS
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ARTICLE IN PRESS
Effect of Pilates and taiji quan on performance of college students 163
... Yet in scoping the literature, there are seemingly few studies exploring the effect of Pilates exercises on sleep quality and fatigue in college students. In one study Pilates exercises improved sleep quality in 41 college-aged individuals, although the effect of the intervention on the components of sleep quality has not been reported [24]. One study also showed that the combined movements of Pilates and Yoga over a long period of 12 weeks had a positive effect on skeletal muscle mass, basal metabolism, and body satisfaction in female college students [25]. ...
... Sample size was obtained as 32 participants in each group based on related study [24].The power was set at 80%, with a 5% significance level. However, considering a 20% as dropout rate, we recruited 40 students per group. ...
... In the case of Pilates exercises, randomized clinical trials examining their effects on sleep quality and fatigue in college students are scarce. In one study, after fifteen weeks of Pilates exercises, college students reported improvement in sleep quality, but there was no report about sleep components [24]. Another study evaluated the effect of combined program exercise (Pilates and Yoga movements) conducted on 21 female college students. ...
Article
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Abstract Background This study aims to investigate the effect of Pilates exercises on sleep and fatigue among female college students residing in the dormitory. Methods This quasi-experimental study, two parallel groups was performed on 80 single female college students (40 per group), between 18 to 26 years old who lived in the two dormitories. One dormitory was considered as the intervention group and another as the control group. The Pilates group received three one-hour Pilates exercise sessions per week for eight weeks and the control group maintained their routine activities. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI-20) were used respectively to assess sleep quality and fatigue levels, at three time points: baseline, end of week four, and eight follow-ups. Fisher’s exact, Chi-square, independent sample t-test and repeated measurements were used. Results Overall, 66 participants completed the study (32 and 35 participants in the Pilates and control groups, respectively). After four and eight weeks of intervention, the overall mean score of sleep quality improved significantly (p
... In addition to psychological symptoms, sleep regulation is a complex mechanism in which several factors such as hormonal fluctuations or mood disturbances are involved [37]. According to Caldwell et al. (2009) [38], half of the student population also has sleep disorders. This information reinforces, in addition to the bidirectional relationship between TTH and sleep [12], the importance of studying the evolution of sleep quality in relation to intervention in a population of students with TTH. ...
... In addition to psychological symptoms, sleep regulation is a complex mechanism in which several factors such as hormonal fluctuations or mood disturbances are involved [37]. According to Caldwell et al. (2009) [38], half of the student population also has sleep disorders. This information reinforces, in addition to the bidirectional relationship between TTH and sleep [12], the importance of studying the evolution of sleep quality in relation to intervention in a population of students with TTH. ...
... This information reinforces, in addition to the bidirectional relationship between TTH and sleep [12], the importance of studying the evolution of sleep quality in relation to intervention in a population of students with TTH. From the results obtained in the present study, an improvement in sleep quality is observed in most participants, corroborating other studies that report similar results in students and workers up to 40 years of age [37][38][39]. Even a study by Lins Filho et al. (2019) [40] suggests that the best stress management and improvement in overall quality of life promoted by clinical Pilates are related to improved sleep quality. ...
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Tension-type-headaches appear as the third most common disease in the general population and have a big impact on quality of life. The aim is to verify the impact of clinical Pilates exercises on pain intensity, impact headaches, neck disability, state of anxiety, depression, stress and quality of sleep in higher-education students. After a sample selection questionnaire was completed, a series of cases was carried out with 9 undergraduate students with tension-type headaches. Five instruments were applied before and after an intervention program: (i) Numerical Rating Scale—NRS, (ii) Headache Impact Test—HIT-6™, (iii) Neck Disability Index, (iv) Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scales and (v) Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Four sessions of 30 min classes of Pilates exercises were held for 2 weeks. The pain intensity decreased in only 2 participants. The impact of tension-type headaches on normal daily life and ability to function was improved in all patients, and only one patient’s functional disability caused by pain in the cervical region did not improve. In regard to negative emotional states, 6 individuals reported improvements, and only one individual reported a lower quality of sleep after the program. The exercise program can induce positive effects on disorders associated with tension-type-headaches.
... Today, this sport is widely used to rehabilitate, improve health and help treat various diseases. Pilates also focuses on the body, especially the core muscles, pelvis, and spine [23]. The effect of Pilates exercises has been proven in improving the performance of elderly people [24], improving abdominal strength and endurance and trunk flexibility [25], and decreasing pain in women suffering from back pain and disc herniation patients with symptoms of Lumbosciatalgia [26]. ...
... Pilates emphasizes breathing rhythm and strengthening of the deep muscles, and concentration and challenges the mind during exercises. Pilates also has a special focus on the muscles, pelvis, and spine [23]. In addition, enhancement of performance in elderly people [24], improved muscular strength, endurance, trunk flexibility [25], and improved pain in women with back pain and symptoms of Lumbosciatalgia have been attributed to participating in Pilates exercises [26]. ...
Article
Purpose: The present study aimed to investigate the effect of six weeks of Pilates exercises on the function of the upper and lower extremities in middle-aged women with lower crossed syndrome (LCS). Methods: This study was a quasi-experimental research with a pre-test-post-test design. The participants included 30 females with LCS from Tiam Sport Club. They were selected using a purposive sampling method and randomly divided into Pilates exercises and control groups. The function of the upper extremity was assessed using Y and Davies tests, and the lower extremity function was assessed using side hop and square hop tests. The Pilates training program was implemented for 6 weeks, 3 days a week and each session lasted 30 minutes. Paired t-test and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) were used to analyze data at a significance level of P≤0.05. Results: The results showed that the Pilates exercise group performed better than the control group in the function tests of the upper and lower extremities (P≤0.05). No significant difference was observed between pre-test and post-test scores in the control group (P>0.05). Conclusion: Based on the results, it can be concluded that Pilates exercises can improve the function of the upper and lower extremities by enhancing the strength and efficiency of core stabilizer muscles. Therefore, it seems rational to suggest physiotherapists and coaches use these exercises in individuals with LCS.
... While Pilates exercises provide important results in dynamic balance development (Johnson et al., 2007), it also plays an important role in increasing bone development, muscle strength and flexibility as a coordinate motor skill (Emery et al., 2010;Critchley et al., 2011;Irez et al., 2011). Pilates exercises, which have an important place in reducing and preventing injuries that can be experienced on the musculoskeletal system, positively support the development of self-efficacy as a result of positive changes in positive mood and performance level due to the increase in sleep quality (Burger et al., 2019;Caldwell et al., 2009). ...
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The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of a twelve-week pilates exercise program on some performance tests and body composition. The research was a quantitative study and experimental research model was used as a model. The study group consisted of 32 female volunteer students aged between 20-23 who were educated at Kırıkkale University, Faculty of Sports Sciences, and took pilates lessons. Before starting the exercise program and after finishing the exercise program, the participants' data on anthropometric (body weight, height, body fat ratio and circumference measurements) and performance tests (sit and reach test, vertical jump test, 20 m speed and t-dril test) were collected. The arithmetic means and standard deviations of all data were calculated. The comparison of the measurement values of the participants before and after the exercise program (pre-test and post-test) was made with the paired samples t-test. A statistically significant difference was found between the anthropometric and performance tests (pre-test and post-test) of the participants. Considering the results of the study, it was determined that there were improvements in the physical appearance and physical performance of the individuals with regular pilates exercises, and that pilates exercises had significant effects on both the body composition and muscular endurance of the individuals.
... A qualidade do sono também foi observada em um estudo [25,26] com universitários, utilizando o método Pilates em aparelhos, durante 15 semanas, três vezes por semana, com duração de 50 minutos por dia. Os resultados sugerem que o protocolo proposto é eficaz e podem ajudar no tratamento e prevenção de algumas perturbações do ciclo sono-vigília. ...
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Objetivo: Avaliar os efeitos de um programa de treinamento de Pilates solo em jovens sedentárias. Métodos: Participaram do estudo 10 jovens sedentárias do gênero feminino, com idade entre 18 e 30 anos, na qual as variáveis avaliadas foram comparadas antes e depois de um protocolo de Pilates solo durante 18 sessões, 2 sessões para avaliação e reavaliação e 16 sessões de treinamento, 2 vezes por semana com duração de 60 minutos. Resultados: Foram incluí­dos 10 sujeitos do gênero feminino, com idade média de 22,7 ± 2,3 anos, peso médio de 55,6 ± 5,8 kg, altura média de 1,62 ± 0,1 m e Índice de Massa Corporal médio de 21,21 ± 2,3 kg/m². Houve diferença significante no aspecto da flexibilidade, no teste de sentar e alcançar com o banco de Wells com os escores médios antes de 21,2 ± 9,7 cm, e depois de 33,7 ± 6,1 cm. No Índice de Qualidade do Sono de Pittsburgh (PSQI), observou-se uma diminuição dos escores antes e depois do treinamento, respectivamente, 8,8 ± 2,5 pontos e 4,2 ± 2,8 pontos. Assim como na Escala de Sonolência de Epworth (ESE) também se observou diminuição dos escores antes e depois, respectivamente, 14,4 ± 3,5 pontos e 8,4 ± 3,2 pontos. Conclusão: O método Pilates solo contribuiu para o ganho da flexibilidade e melhora na qualidade do sono em mulheres jovens sedentárias.Palavras-chave: jovens, exercí­cio, sedentarismo, flexibilidade.
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Objective: Less attention has been given to how green space can impact college students’ moods. This study aimed to examine whether university students exposed to outdoor and indoor green space-natural and artificial would experience a change in moods compared to students not exposed to green space. Method: Seventy-nine participants were randomly assigned to four different conditions: office without greenery, office with posters of nature, office with green plants, and outside in a garden. The Brunel Mood Scale was used to assess participants’ moods before and after spending time in their assigned setting. Results: Results indicated that all participants experienced a decline in tension and fatigue regardless of their assigned setting, yet the decline was less pronounced among participants in the office without greenery. Conclusion: Study findings highlight indoor green space is also conducive to positive moods. Thus, in addition to protecting outside greenery, universities may invest in indoor greenery (e.g., indoor plants, posters/artwork featuring nature) that can be placed in classrooms, libraries, dormitories, and other spaces frequented by students.
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This study aimed to gain insight into the perspectives of women who practice Pilates by analyzing the metaphors they use to describe the exercise. The study involved 218 women who attended Pilates classes at the Istanbul Gaziosmanpaşa Municipality facilities thrice a week for sixty minutes each time. The research utilized a qualitative model involving a systematic content analysis and descriptive analysis of the qualitative data to understand the participants' viewpoints through metaphors. The participants, mainly comprised of females, provided 218 codes through their use of metaphors, with some codes overlapping. The codes were then organized into eight categories: Mood, Consciousness, Relaxation, Body awareness, Self-confidence, Energy, Happiness, and Therapy, which ultimately led to the formation of two themes, Psychological and Physical. After analyzing the metaphors, it was evident that the participants had a generally positive view of Pilates and that they believed it contributed positively to their health and well-being, both physically and psychologically. In conclusion, the study revealed that the participants perceived Pilates as a beneficial contributor to their overall wellness.
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Bu çalışmada Covid-19 2020-2021 pandemi döneminde 20-40 yaş arasındaki bireylere uygulanan 8 haftalık yüz yüze ve çevrimiçi mat pilates egzersizlerinin uyku kalitesine etkisini karşılaştırmak amaçlanmıştır. Çalışmaya 20-40 yaş aralığında toplam 42 birey katılmıştır. Katılımcılar çevrimiçi pilates, yüz yüze pilates ve kontrol grubu olarak 3 gruba ayrılmıştır. Deney gruplarına haftada iki gün 55 dakika birebir mat pilates egzersizleri uygulatılmıştır. Katılımcıların subjektif uyku kaliteleri Pittsburgh Uyku Kalite İndeksi’nin (PUKİ) Türkçe versiyonu ile, objektif uyku kaliteleri SenseWear Armband ile elde edilmiştir. İstatiksel analiz olarak one-way anova ve paired sample t testi kullanılmıştır ve anlamlılık düzeyi p<0,05 olarak kabul edilmiştir. Çevrimiçi pilates grubunun uyku verimliliği ön ve son test değerlerinde p<0,01 düzeyinde anlamlı farklılık görülürken PUKİ ön ve son test değerlerinde anlamlı farklılık görülmemiştir (p>0,05). Yüz yüze grupta ise PUKİ ve uyku verimliliği değerlerinde anlamlı farklılık görülmemiştir (p>0,05). Yetişkin bireylerde 8 haftalık çevrimiçi mat pilates egzersizlerinin objektif uyku kalitesini olumlu yönde etkilediği görülürken iki grupta da subjektif uyku kalitesine etkisi görülmemiştir. Objektif uyku kalitesinin iyileştirilmesi için Covid-19 gibi pandemi dönemlerinde online olarak uygulanan mat pilates egzersizlerinin katkısı önemlidir.
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The influence of exercise mode and practice qualities on the stress reduction benefits of exercise was examined. College students in swimming, body conditioning, hatha yoga, fencing, exercise, and lecture-control classes completed the Profile of Mood States and the State Anxiety Inventory before and after class on three occasions. Swimmers had unusually positive initial moods and reported less tension and confusion after swimming only on the first day of testing. Participants in yoga, an anaerobic activity that satisfied three of the four mode requirements, were significantly less anxious, tense, depressed, angry, fatigued, and confused after class than before on all three occasions. Supporting the importance of the four mode characteristics, participants in the exercise control activity of fencing reported improvements only in vigor. A possible influence of practice conditions was observed when members of the body conditioning class reported significant increases in fatigue, but no other mood changes. Results of this study supported the possibility that exercise mode and practice requirements in the proposed taxonomy moderate the stress reduction benefits.
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Survey and laboratory studies suggest that several factors, such as social and academic demands, part-time jobs and irregular school schedules, affect the sleep-wake cycle of college students. In this study, we examined the sleep-wake pattern and the role played by academic schedules and individual characteristics on the sleep-wake cycle and academic performance. The subjects were 36 medical students (male = 21 and female = 15), mean age = 20.7 years, SD = 2.2. All students attended the same school schedule, from Monday to Friday. The volunteers answered a morningness-eveningness questionnaire, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and kept a sleep-wake diary for two weeks. The relationships between sleep-wake cycle, PSQI, chronotypes and academic performance were analyzed by a multiple regression technique. The results showed that 38.9% of the students had a poor sleep quality according to the PSQI. When the medical students were evening type or moderate evening type the PSQI showed a tendency of poor sleep. The multiple regression analysis showed a correlation between sleep onset, sleep irregularity and sleep length with academic performance. These results suggest that chronotypes influence the quality of the sleep-wake cycle and that irregularity of the sleep-wake cycle, as well as sleep deprivation (average length was 6:52), influence the learning of college students.
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The Exercise-Induced Feeling Scale (EFI; L. Gauvin and W. J. Rejeski, 1993) and the Subjective Exercise Experience Scale (SEES; E. McAuley and K. S. Courneya, 1994) were employed to compare post-exercise affect after sessions of aerobic dance, weight-training, martial arts, tai-chi and yoga, and a music appreciation (control). A sample of 195 male and female volunteers was tested before and after exercise or music appraisal. After controlling for pre-exercise levels in affect and self-reported exercising intensity, the combined tai-chi and yoga group reported higher levels of tranquillity than all other exercise groups. These individuals also reported lower psychological distress, fatigue, and exhaustion than participants in the martial arts group. The weight-training group scored higher on revitalization in contrast to the martial arts group. People in the aerobic dance and music appraisal groups were not different from the other groups. None of the exercise groups reported more positive affect than the music appreciation control group. Therefore, the exercise-specific nature of the EFI and SEES was not substantiated in the present study. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
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Perceived self-efficacy is an indicator of maintenance, effort, and performance of various behaviors, including recreation therapy activities. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of one of the sources of efficacy information, vicarious experience via modeling, and to enhance efficacy beliefs of at-risk youth who are participating in a therapeutic adventure activity. Additionally, this study investigated the influence of activity specific efficacy perceptions on both self-regulatory self-efficacy (SRSE) and perceived performance in the specific activity. Results indicated that groups who observed a model demonstrate rock climbing during ground school had significantly higher rock climbing self-efficacy and SRSE after their rock climbing experience than the group that did not. In light of this research, it is apparent that providing a model is an effective tool that can be used to assist recreational therapists in offering effective programs.
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Pilates has gained momentum and attention in the past 5 years as a modality for improving flexibility, strength and mind-body awareness. What is not revealed, however, is the scientific basis for this practice. The two-fold purpose of this review was to (1) critically appraise published research on Pilates in healthy adults and (2) propose future research options for this method in healthy adults. An extensive literature search was conducted, using Pilates as the search word. A total of 277 articles were found. Thirty-nine articles and abstracts were published in refereed, professional journals, of which there were only three clinical trials in healthy adults. The strengths of these three clinical trials were the (1) use of established measurements for stated outcomes and (2) documented need for research in this area. The weaknesses were (1) lack of true experimental designs, (2) small sample sizes, and (3) lack of a defined method of Pilates. There is cautious support for the effectiveness of Pilates in improving flexibility, abdominal and lumbo-pelvic stability and muscular activity, primarily due to a lack of sound research methodology surrounding each study. Utilizing a true experimental design and stating the Pilates method utilized can strengthen and improve future Pilates research in healthy adults.
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In this study, the potential value of Tai Chi in improving dynamic balance and falls self-efficacy in a healthy elderly sample was investigated. Performance of the 33 Tai Chi practitioners on the 8-foot-up-and-go balance test and the scores on the Falls Self-Efficacy Scale was compared with a nonpredictor control group. A multivariate analysis of variance demonstrated that there was not a significant difference between the practitioners and the nonpractitioners on pre-test dependent variables (g > .57). The practitioners did significantly improve their time on the balance test after the intervention (g > .05). However, the experimental group did not improve their self-reported measures on the self-efficacy scale (r > .98).
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Professionals in theater, athletics, and rehabilitation settings have integrated Pilates-based exercise into their practice. The Pilates method of exercise claims to have several benefits including improving posture and improving balance; however, there are few studies to support these statements. We studied the effects of Pilates-based exercise on dynamic balance in healthy adults. A certified Pilates instructor conducted all exercise sessions. After completing 10 Pilates-based exercise sessions a significant change (P=.01) in dynamic balance was found in the functional reach test (FRT) mean scores in the exercise group (n=17). The control group (n=17) demonstrated no significant change (P=.54). The results suggest that Pilates-based exercise improved dynamic balance as measured by the FRT in healthy adults.