The Pilates Method increases respiratory muscle strength and performance as well as abdominal muscle thickness

• Published in: Journal of bodywork and movement therapies Vol. 20; no. 2; pp. 258 - 264
• Main Authors: Giacomini, Mateus Beltrame, Msc, da Silva, Antônio Marcos Vargas, DSc, Weber, Laura Menezes, Monteiro, Mariane Borba, DSc
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Ltd 01-04-2016
• Subjects: Abdominal muscles; Abdominal Muscles - diagnostic imaging; Abdominal Muscles - physiology; Adult; Exercise Movement Techniques - methods; Exhalation - physiology; Female; Humans; Inhalation - physiology; Muscle Strength - physiology; Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation; Pilates Method; Respiratory Function Tests; Respiratory muscles; Respiratory Muscles - diagnostic imaging; Respiratory Muscles - physiology; Women; Women; Respiratory muscles; Pilates Method; Abdominal muscles
• ISSN: 1360-8592; 1532-9283
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2015.11.003

Summary The aim of this study was to verify the effects of the Pilates Method (PM) training program on the thickness of the abdominal wall muscles, respiratory muscle strength and performance, and lung function. This uncontrolled clinical trial involved 16 sedentary women who were assessed before and after eight weeks of PM training. The thickness of the transversus abdominis (TrA), internal oblique (IO) and external oblique (EO) muscles was assessed. The respiratory muscle strength was assessed by measuring the maximum inspiratory (MIP) and expiratory (MEP) pressure. The lung function and respiratory muscle performance were assessed by spirometry. An increase was found in MIP (p = 0.001), MEP (p = 0.031), maximum voluntary ventilation (p = 0.020) and the TrA (p < 0.001), IO (p = 0.002) and EO (p < 0.001) thickness after the PM program. No alterations in lung function were found. These findings suggest that the PM program promotes abdominal wall muscle hypertrophy and an increase in respiratory muscle strength and performance, preventing weakness in abdominal muscles and dysfunction in ventilatory mechanics, which could favor the appearance of illnesses.