Effects of Pilates Training on Lumbo-Pelvic Stability and Flexibility

This study was performed to assess and compare the effects of Pilates exercise on flexibility and lumbo-pelvic movement control between the Pilates training and control groups.

Methods:

A randomized single-blinded controlled design was utilized in the study. Forty healthy male and female volunteers (mean age 31.656.21 years) were randomly divided into Pilates-based training (20 subjects) and the control groups (20 subjects). The Pilates group attended 45-minute training sessions, 2 times per week, for a period of 8 weeks. Flexibility and lumbo-pelvic stability tests were determined as outcome measures using a standard sit and reach test and pressure biofeedback respectively at 0, 4 and 8 weeks of the study.

Results:

The results showed that the Pilates training group improved flexibility significantly (P<0.001) during time intervals. This effect was also significantly greater than the control group for both 4 weeks and 8 weeks of the training period (P<0.001). There were 65% and 85% of the subjects from Pilates group passing the lumbo-pelvic stability test at 4 and 8 weeks of training periods respectively. No subjects from the control group passed the test at any stages.

Conclusions:

Pilates can be used as an adjunctive exercise program to improve flexibility, enhance control-mobility of trunk and pelvic segments. It may also prevent and attenuate the predisposition to axial musculoskeletal injury.

Keywords

Pilates Training

Pilates-Based Exercises

Flexibility

Lumbo-pelvic stability

Exercise

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Author(s):

Aatit Paungmali:[PubMed][Scholar]