Effects of a Concurrent Physical Activity Service-Learning program with older adults: Pilates and socialization games

Abstract

The aim of this work was to assess the effect of a concurrent Service-Learning intervention program “Pilates and socializing games” on the Physical Condition (Force and Flexibility of the higher and lower limbs, Agility and Cardiorespiratory capacity), Health related Quality of Life (Physical Function, Physical Role, Body Pain, General Health, Vitality, Social Function, Emotional Role, Mental Health) and subjective happiness (measuring four items) of older adults. The sample was formed by a group of 41 women (mean age= 82.03). 21 of them belonged to the control group (not active) (mean age= 80.73, SD= 7.96) and the other 20 older-adults formed the experimental group (mean age= 83.30, SD= 8.87) or active group, since they carried out the physical exercise program during ten weeks with a frequency of 2 sessions per week. This study was quasi experimental. The results show that the Service Learning program of physical exercise induced significant improvements in the components of physical condition and in mental health. However, no significant improvements were observed in the variables that evaluated the body functionality, perceived happiness and general health. For this reason, future research could aim at investigating the optimal methods to favour significant improvements in similar populations in the studied variables in this work, due to the fact that the program used on Pilates, as well as the dynamic for socialization has proven insufficient results in this regard.