• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.57-63
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• 2011

Purpose: The purposes of this study were to investigate the effectiveness of Pilates exercise on Fitness Factors related to motor performance including flexibility, agility, power, balance, and muscle endurance. Methods: Forty subjects were randomly allocated to one of two groups. The Pilates group did Pilates exercises 3 times a week for 8weeks, 60 minutes each time, and submitted to evaluation of protocols to assess sitting and reaching tests, a standing broad jump test, a side step test, a balance test using a Biodex Stability System, and muscle endurance using CSMI. Results: The Pilates group (n=20) participated in Pilates exercises three times in a week for eight weeks. The results show significant post-test differences in the Pilates group in the following areas: flexibility, agility, power, balance and muscle endurance. There was no significant increase in the control group. Post-exercise, there was no significant difference between the Pilates and control group. Conclusion: The Pilates method can offer significant improvement in personal flexibility, agility, power, balance, and muscle endurance. This study suggests that individuals can improve their Fitness Factors related to motor performance using Pilates exercises that do not require equipment or a high degree of skill. Further study is required to quantify the benefits of Pilates exercise.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.12 no.7
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• pp.3088-3095
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Pilates exercises on the improvement of blood pressure and respiratory function. 36 subjects which were randomly divided into Pilates exercises group(n=18) and control group(n=18). Subjects in the Pilates exercises group were regularly participated in Pilates exercise program for 8 weeks. We were measured the blood pressure and respiratory function such as blood pressure, VO2max, METs, and Anaerobic threshold at before and after the experiment. After 8 weeks, in Pilate exercises group, there were significant improvement on blood pressure and respiratory function except the diastolic blood pressure. And subjects participated in Pilates exercise group were significantly improved compared to control group on systolic blood pressure, VO2max, METs, and Anaerobic threshold. But in control group, there were no significant differences. In conclusion, regular participation in Pilates exercises improved the blood pressure and respiratory function. These results suggest that Pilates exercise is the method that replace aerobic exercise.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.268-277
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• 2023

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Pilates breathing exercises on functional disability and lumbar flexibility in patients with non-specific chronic low back pain. Design: A randomized controlled trial. Methods: 30 patients with non-specific low back pain were selected and classified into an experimental group (n=15) and a control group (n=15). Both groups were assessed for functional disability using the Oswestry Disability Index and flexibility of the lumbar spine using the modified-modified Schober test before and after the intervention. The intervention was applied twice a week for four weeks. The experimental group performed Pilates breathing exercises followed by spinal stabilization exercises, while the control group only performed spinal stabilization exercises. Results: Both groups showed significant improvements in functional disability and lumbar flexibility after the intervention. However, when comparing between the two groups, the experimental group showed a more significant effect than the control group. Conclusions: The combination of Pilates breathing exercises and spinal stabilization exercises can be considered an effective approach to improve low back pain and prevent chronic pain in patients with non-specific chronic low back pain.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.282-288
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• 2022

Background: Pilates exercises are used for body shape correction because they can achieve correct posture alignment through spinal stabilization. Objects: This study aimed to determine whether the use of reformers increases the effectiveness of Pilates core exercises on body alignment in standing. Methods: The study included 30 women without known diagnoses of musculoskeletal and neurological disorders or cancer. Those who had taken more than 10 Pilates lessons were excluded. The participants were randomly assigned to either the reformer exercise group or the mat exercise group, and interventional Pilates exercises were performed for 60 minutes a day, three times a week, for a total of 8 weeks. Ten movements of the reformer and mat Pilates core exercise programs were included. Exbody^® 9100 MOMI musculoskeletal analysis equipment (Exbody Inc.) was used to assess the alignment of the standing posture in the frontal plane. Results: As a result of comparing the differences within and between the groups before and after the intervention using the two-way mixed analysis of variance test, height differences in the head, pelvis, left and right, shoulders, scapulas, knees, and ankles in the frontal plane after the intervention were found in both groups. For example, the left-right symmetry of the body alignment in the standing posture was significantly improved within each group (p < 0.05). However, no significant difference was found between the groups (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Both the reformer and mat Pilates core exercises were effective for standing posture alignment, which has clinical significance. If an exercise program is developed based on the analysis of movements necessary for posture improvement and the target muscles to be strengthened, the same effect can be achieved only with mat exercise without using the reformer equipment at the beginner stage.

• International Journal of Advanced Culture Technology
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.77-87
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• 2018

The purpose of this study is to identify the effects of pilates exercises on the body composition and satisfaction level of female college students, and, to do so, pilates classes were provided for female college students for 8 weeks. Their level of satisfaction was surveyed and their body composition before and after participating in the classes was also measured. Out of a total of 40 subjects, those who did not diligently participate in the pilates classes were excluded, and the data of 22 subjects who continued to participate in the classes were analyzed only. The components of body composition measured before and after the 8-week pilates exercise program showed that body fat percentage and abdominal fat percentage were reduced, while lean body mass increased. The level of satisfaction of the group of those who performed pilates exercises for 8 weeks showed positive effects. It will be necessary to develop various systematic and science-based pilates exercise programs that are customized for different age groups in order to reduce the level of the components of body composition associated with obesity.

• International journal of advanced smart convergence
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.119-129
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• 2018

The purpose of this study is to identify the effects of pilates exercises on the body composition and satisfaction level of female college students, and, to do so, pilates classes were provided for female college students for 8 weeks. Their level of satisfaction was surveyed and their body composition before and after participating in the classes was also measured. Out of a total of 40 subjects, those who did not diligently participate in the pilates classes were excluded, and the data of 22 subjects who continued to participate in the classes were analyzed only. The components of body composition measured before and after the 8-week pilates exercise program showed that body fat percentage and abdominal fat percentage were reduced, while lean body mass increased. The level of satisfaction of the group of those who performed pilates exercises for 8 weeks showed positive effects. It will be necessary to develop various systematic and science-based pilates exercise programs that are customized for different age groups in order to reduce the level of the components of body composition associated with obesity.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.214-221
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• 2023

Objective: This study aimed to assess the impact of using the LED light electromyographyfeedback system (EMG-light) during Pilates exercises in women to maintain consistent muscle contraction in the abdominal external oblique muscles and reduce muscle contraction in the upper trapezius muscles. This study compared Pilates training using the EMG-light with Pilates training only in healthy women for 4 weeks. Design: This study was conducted as a cross-sectional study. Methods: A total of 17 healthy women were divided into an experimental group (n=9) and a control group (n=8). Both groups performed Pilates exercises as assigned, twice per week for four weeks, with each session lasting fifty minutes. The experimental group were used the EMG-light feedback system during pilates exercise while the control group did not use EMG-light. We used cervical vertebral angle (CVA), shoulder tilt angle to evaluate neck posture and standing balance with closed eye for 30s before and after exercise. Results: The control group exhibited a significant change in CVA (p<0.05). Both groups showed significant changes in shoulder tilt, center of pressure (COP) path-length, and COP velocity during eyes-closed conditions (p<0.05). However, there were significant differences between the experimental and control groups in terms of CVA, shoulder tilt, COP path-length, and COP velocity. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that Pilates exercises had positive effects on shoulder posture and balance. The use of EMG-light provided real-time visual feedback on muscle contraction during Pilates exercise. However, the experimental group did not show significant improvements compared to the control group, which performed Pilates exercises without feedback.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.238-244
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• 2021

Purpose: Menstruation is associated with menstrual symptoms like pain and balance problems which have an impact on the quality of life. Pilates increases pelvic stability and reduces menstrual pain by inducing abdominal muscle contraction. This study was done to evaluate the effects of Pilates on menstrual pain, symptoms, balance, and quality of life when compared to aerobic exercise. Methods: Thirty-nine women with menstrual pain were randomly divided into the Pilates group (n=13), aerobics group (n=13), and control group (n=13). The Pilates group performed lumbar-pelvic stabilization exercises, while the aerobic group ran on a treadmill. The control group did not undergo any intervention. The experimental groups exercised for four weeks (12 sessions) and did not exercise during menstruation. The Y-balance test was performed on the second day of menstruation to evaluate dynamic balance. The questionnaires administered immediately after menstruation were the visual analog scale (VAS), Korea Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and the modified Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (MDQ). The paired t-test was used to compare the effect of exercise within the three groups and a oneway analysis of variance was used to compare between groups. Results: VAS and MEDI-Q scores significantly decreased in the Pilates group after 4 weeks compared with those in the aerobic and control groups. Moreover, ODI and Y-balance scores increased in the Pilates group compared with those in the aerobic and control groups (p<0.05). Conclusion: The Pilates stabilization exercises are effective and help in improving menstrual pain, balance and other menstrual symptoms assessed through ODI, and MEDI-Q, compared to aerobic exercises.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.183-193
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• 2021

Purpose: The purpose of this research was to investigate the effects of performing Pilates exercises for eight weeks on the isokinetic trunk strength and balance of female middle school students with lumbago. Methods: Twenty-four female students who met the test requirements were recruited and randomly divided into a control group (CG, n = 16) and a Pilates exercise group (Pilates group; PG, n = 8). The PG performed a Pilates program, which consisted of lumbar muscle strengthening exercises, for 60 minutes three times a week for eight weeks. Data analysis was conducted by two-way repeated ANOVA, and a Bonferroni test was carried out when significant differences appeared. The alpha level was set at 0.05. Results: Following the experimental treatment, the PG showed an increased trunk flexion peak torque of 17% and 13% at angular velocities of 180°/sec and 300°/sec, respectively. The intergroup comparison showed no significant difference at pre-measurement, while the PG increased about 31% (180°/sec) and 15% (300°/sec) higher than the control group at post-measurement. Following the experimental treatment, the PG showed an increased trunk extensor peak torque of approximately 29% and 21% at angular velocities of 180°/sec and 300°/sec, respectively. The intergroup comparison showed no significant difference at pre-measurement, while the PG increased approximately 27% (180°/sec) and 15% (300°/sec) higher than the control group at post-measurement. Both the CG and the PG showed a 20% and 50% decrease in pain index after the experimental treatment, respectively. After the experimental treatment, the PG had about 50% lower pain than the CG. The average error rate of static balance in the PG reduced by 19% from 3.28±0.45 to 2.65±0.36, confirming a significant improvement. Conclusion: Regular Pilates exercise for eight weeks improved the isokinetic trunk muscle strength of female middle school students with lumbago and relieved their pain. Pilates was also shown to be effective in improving balance.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.1558-1563
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• 2018

This study, based on physical therapy interventions for menstruation disorders, observed the effect of Pilates stabilization exercises and Kinesio taping on dysmenorrhea and prostaglandin $F2{\alpha}$ levels. Female college students (n=37) who had >70 points on the mood disorder questionnaire (MDQ) and >4 points on the visual analogue scale (VAS) were divided into three different groups, the Pilates group (PG, n= 13), Pilates and Taping group (PTG, n=12), Taping group (TG, n=12). Pilates and taping were performed 3 times a week for 6 weeks. Pre- and post-menstruation difficulties were measured through the MDQ. Changes in blood prostaglandin $F2{\alpha}$ levels were also measured. Changes in pre- and post-menstrual pain and prostaglandin $F2{\alpha}$ levels were significantly reduced in the PG, PTG, and TG. Changes in pre- and post-menstrual pain and prostaglandin $F2{\alpha}$ levels resulted in significant differences in the PTG and TG. Dysmenorrhea and prostaglandin $F2{\alpha}$ levels were significantly decreased in the TG than in the PTG. These findings suggest that Pilates stabilization exercises and Kinesio taping are effective in decreasing menstrual difficulties and pain in female college students.