Title

The Effects of a Home Pilates Program on Muscle Performance and Posture in Healthy Females

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

7-2007

Publication Source

Journal of Women's Health Physical Therapy

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a video-based Pilates mat home exercise program on core strength, muscular endurance, and posture in healthy females.

Study Design: This study used a randomized controlled design.

Background: At this point in time, no literature has been found documenting the effects of Pilates mat training on core strength, muscular endurance, and posture in healthy individuals.

Methods and Measures: Eleven healthy women between the ages of 20 and 35 were drawn from a sample of convenience and randomly divided into 2 groups. The exercise group performed a Pilates mat exercise program 3 times per week for 10 weeks and received general postural education. The control group only received general postural education. Pre- and postmeasurements were collected on posture, abdominal strength, and trunk flexor and extensor endurance. Data analysis was accomplished via a 2x2 repeated measures ANOVA.

Results: There were no statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) found between the Pilates and control groups at the pre- or postmeasurements for abdominal strength, flexor endurance, and extensor endurance. The Pilates Group showed a greater degree of change as compared to the control group for extensor and flexor endurance. No difference was noted between the experimental and the control group for posture for either pre- or postmeasurement session.

Conclusion: In this small sample, there was no significant effect of Pilates mat exercise training on abdominal strength and posture but both flexor and extensor endurance appeared to be improved.

Inclusive pages

6-11

ISBN/ISSN

1556-6803

Comments

Permission documentation on file.

Publisher

Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Volume

31

Issue

2

Peer Reviewed

yes

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS