Investigação da síndrome demencial e o impacto do pilates na pessoa idosa

Abstract

Aging is a natural and inevitable process that everyone experiences, which can occur in either a healthy or pathological manner. Among the most common health issues in the elderly is dementia syndrome, which affects cognitive function and functional capacity. To mitigate these effects and promote healthy aging, the Pilates method has gained prominence. This physical exercise method integrates body and mind, offering significant benefits for the physical and cognitive health of the elderly, helping to maintain mobility, muscle strength, and mental clarity. This study aims to investigate the impact of Pilates on dementia syndrome in the elderly. It proposes to list the signs and symptoms of dementia syndrome in the elderly, compare the functionality of Pilates practitioners with non-practitioners, and evaluate whether the degree of cognitive impairment significantly affects the understanding of the method. The study was conducted at the Specialized Reference Center for Comprehensive Health Care of the Elderly (CREASPI), divided into two groups: a control group that did not practice Pilates and a group of elderly individuals, aged 60 to 85, who practiced Pilates twice a week. The assessment used the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) to measure cognitive function and the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test to measure functionality. The collected data showed that the Pilates Method is a beneficial intervention for improving the cognitive function and mobility of the elderly, consequently delaying the signs and symptoms of dementia.