Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T15:16:16Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 AndreaCG_DISSERT.pdf: 1728950 bytes, checksum: 9313bae1012ec9efe12c3287e841bbf7 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-02-27 / Background: The Pilates Method is a modality of exercise that has been growing in recent decades, but few researches has been conducted with elderly and little is known about its benefits in this population. Objective: To evaluate the effect of a program of Mat Pilates exercises in muscle performance and postural balance in elderly women. Materials and Method: This is a randomized controlled trial that evaluated the muscle performance (isokinetic dynamometer Biodex System 3 Pro?) and postural balance (Balance Master System?) of 33 women aged 65-80 years. The experimental group (EG) participated of a 12-week program of Mat Pilates exercises with two weekly sessions. Data normality was verified by the Shapiro - Wilk test and were adopted p value < 0.05 as significance level. Results: There were no differences between groups after training. However, the EG showed an increase in the values of extension and flexion average power to 60 ? / s after training (32.19 W to 37.04 W and 14.48 W to 17.56 W, respectively). Conclusion: The proposed exercise program was not effective in the total work and average power of flexor and extensor of the knee, as well as static and dynamic balance of participants / Contextualiza??o: O M?todo Pilates ? uma modalidade de exerc?cio f?sico que vem crescendo nas ?ltimas d?cadas, por?m poucas pesquisas foram conduzidas com indiv?duos idosos e pouco se sabe sobre seus benef?cios nesta popula??o. Objetivo: Avaliar o efeito de um programa de exerc?cios de Pilates em solo no desempenho muscular e no equil?brio postural de mulheres idosas. Materiais e M?todo: Trata-se de um ensaio cl?nico controlado randomizado que avaliou o desempenho muscular (dinam?metro isocin?tico Biodex System 3 Pro?) e o equil?brio postural (Balance Master System?) de 33 mulheres na faixa et?ria de 65 a 80 anos. O grupo experimental (GE) participou de um programa de 12 semanas de exerc?cios de Pilates em solo com duas sess?es semanais. A normalidade dos dados foi verificada pelo teste de Shapiro Wilk e adotou-se o p valor < 0,05 para n?vel de signific?ncia. Resultados: N?o houve diferen?as entre os grupos ap?s o treinamento. Por?m, as idosas do GE apresentaram aumento nos valores de pot?ncia m?dia extensora e flexora a 60?/s ap?s o treinamento (de 32,19W para 37,04W e de 14,48W para 17,56W, respectivamente). Conclus?o: O programa de exerc?cios proposto n?o foi efetivo no trabalho total e na pot?ncia m?dia dos m?sculos flexores e extensores de joelho, bem como no equil?brio est?tico e din?mico das participantes