PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of Pilates exercise on static and dynamic balance in chronic stroke patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Nineteen individuals with unilateral chronic hemiparetic stroke (age 64.7 +/- 6.9 years; height 161.7 +/- 7.9 cm; weight 67.0 +/- 11.1 kg) were randomly allocated to either a Pilates exercise group (PG, n = 10) or a control group (CG, n = 9). The PG attended 24 exercise sessions conducted over an 8-week period (3 sessions/week). Center of pressure (COP) sway and COP velocity were measured one week before and after the exercise program and compared to assess training effects. RESULTS: Pilates exercise positively affected both static and dynamic balance in patients with chronic stroke. For static balance, COP sway and velocity in the medial-lateral (M-L) and anterior-posterior (A-P) directions were significantly decreased in the PG after training while no significant differences were found in the CG. For dynamic balance, measured during treadmill walking, the PG showed significantly reduced COP sway and velocity in the M-L and A-P directions for both the paretic and non-paretic leg. CONCLUSIONS: The findings provide initial evidence that Pilates exercise can enhance static and dynamic balance in patients with chronic stroke.

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