Assessment of the Effectiveness of a Pilates Program on Physical Fitness Among Adolescent Students in School

Authors

  • Ifigeneia Kaouri Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
  • Eirini Argiriadou Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
  • Ermioni Katartzi Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
  • Anastasia-Kassiani Praskidou Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
  • Ioannis Vrabas Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
  • Fotios Mavrovouniotis Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55016/ojs/ajer.v70i1.77592

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to examine the effectiveness of a Pilates program in the context of the physical education course at school, on aerobic capacity, muscular strength, muscular endurance, and flexibility of high school students. The voluntary participants were 42 high school students, aged 15 to 17 years, randomly divided into a Pilates group (PG; n = 24) that were taught and practiced Pilates exercises and a control group (CG; n = 18) that participated in the regular physical education school program, during physical education course at school, twice a week, for 45 minutes, for 10 weeks. After the 10-week period, PG significantly improved in all physical fitness parameters, while CG only in muscular endurance. The results demonstrated the very positive effects of the Pilates program as an alternative form of physical activity during the physical education course at school, on physical fitness parameters of high school students.

Keywords: aerobic capacity, muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility.

Le but de cette étude était d'examiner l'efficacité de l’entrainement base sur des exercices “Pilâtes” dans le cadre d’un cours d'Éducation Physique à l'école, sur la capacité aérobie, la force musculaire, l'endurance musculaire et la flexibilité des élèves de la classe secondaire. Les participants volontaires étaient 42 élèves du secondaire, âgés de 15 à 17 ans, répartis au hasard en un groupe Pilates (PG ; n = 24) qui a appris et pratiqué des exercices de Pilates, et un groupe témoin (CG ; n = 18) qui a participé au programme scolaire régulier d'éducation physique, pendant le cours d'éducation physique à l'école, deux fois par semaine, pendant 45 minutes, pendant 10 semaines. Après la période de 10 semaines, le PG s’est amélioré de manière significative dans tous les paramètres de condition physique, tandis que le CG n’a amélioré que l’endurance musculaire. Les résultats ont démontré les effets très positifs du programme Pilâtes, comme forme alternative d'activité physique à l'école, sur les paramètres de condition physique des élèves du secondaire.

Mots clés : capacité aérobie, force musculaire, endurance musculaire, flexibilité.

Author Biographies

Ifigeneia Kaouri , Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

Ifigeneia Kaouri is a high school Physical Education Teacher with a Master' s degree in Kinesiology. She is a Pilates and Fitness Instructor. Her inspirations are her adolescent and adult students. She wants to inspire them to love physical activity, and more so Pilates, once they realize its mental, spiritual, and physical benefits, and also to make exercise an integral part of their lives.

Eirini Argiriadou, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

Eirini Argiriadou is an Associate Professor with the Department of Physical Education and Sport Science in Serres, at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. Her research interests involve the effects of dance, Pilates, and recreational physical activity on mental, social, and physical health, well-being, and quality of life for children, adolescent, adult, and elderly individuals.

Ermioni Katartzi , Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

Ermioni Katartzi is an Associate Professor with the Department of Physical Education and Sport Science in Serres, at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. Her research interests involve the assessment of motor abilities, skills, and motor coordination difficulties in children, adolescents, and adults and the effects of exercise programs in improving motor coordination and promoting physical activity participation and health related quality of life among the above populations.

Anastasia-Kassiani Praskidou, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

Anastasia-Kassiani Praskidou is a PhD student of the Department of Physical Education and Sport Science in Serres, at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. She is also an English Teacher for Special Needs Education Schools. Her interests combine her love for teaching English in alternate ways to learners of all ages with her passion for dance, yoga, Pilates, creativity, and fun games.

Ioannis Vrabas, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

Ioannis Vrabas is a Professor with the Department of Physical Education and Sport Science in Serres, at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. His research interests concern cardiorespiratory and muscle adaptations to exercise, skeletal muscle biology, exercise testing, exercise-induced arterial hypoxemia, oxidative stress, antioxidants, and exercise.

Fotios Mavrovouniotis, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

Fotios Mavrovouniotis is a Professor with the Department of Physical Education and Sport Science at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. His research interests concern the benefits of exercise, the effects of alternative forms of physical activities on psychosomatic health, and exercise as a means of preventing health disorders in individuals of all ages.

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Published

2024-03-13

How to Cite

Kaouri , I., Argiriadou, E., Katartzi , E., Praskidou, A.-K., Vrabas, I., & Mavrovouniotis, F. (2024). Assessment of the Effectiveness of a Pilates Program on Physical Fitness Among Adolescent Students in School. Alberta Journal of Educational Research, 70(1), 98–113. https://doi.org/10.55016/ojs/ajer.v70i1.77592

Issue

Vol. 70 No. 1 (2024): Spring

Section

ARTICLES

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