EFFICACY OF PILATE’S EXERCISE FOR STRENGTHENING OF DEEP ABDOMINAL MUSCLES IN ASYMPTOMATIC ADULT INDIVIDUALS

*Prof. Chowdhury Shivani S., Nishant Savani and Prof. Sujata Yardi

ABSTRACT

Background and Purpose: The aim of core stability training is to effectively recruit the trunk musculature and thereby learn to control the position of the lumbar spine during dynamic movements. This study was performed to study the effectiveness of Pilate‘s exercises in strengthening of deep abdominal muscles. Methodology: A randomised cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the efficacy of Pilates exercise regimes to increase the strength of the core stabilisers of the lumbar spine. 30 asymptomatic and apparently healthy individuals, without any history or known case of low back pain were randomly selected for Pilate‘s exercises. Subjects were explained the purpose of the study through and information sheet and consent for their participation was obtained before they enrolled for the exercise regime. The research study was conducted in Department of Physiotherapy, D.Y.Patil University, Nerul, Navi Mumbai. The Ethics Committee of Pad.Dr.D.Y.Patil University sanctioned the methodology. All the subjects were screened for low back problems using the Oswestry Disability index. Subjects having scored more than ―0‖ on this scale were excluded from the study. Lumbo-pelvic stability was assessed by pressure biofeedback unit. (PBU). Endurance testing of the abdominals was conducted using a stop watch, and realtime Ultrasound imaging was used to assess muscle thickness of External oblique (EO), Internal oblique (IO) and Transverse abdominis (TrA) in supine lying and crook lying position. All the outcome measures were taken pre and post Pilates‘exercise training sessions. All the subjects underwent a training session for 3days/week for 6weeks for introductory level of Pilate‘s exercise. Results: Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 16.0 to comapare pre and post results in same group using paired t-test. Level of significance p- value < 0.05 was considered significant. A significant increase at p<0.05 was obtained in the measurements of ―PBU‖ while performing lumbo- pelvic stability test in the crook lying position, both at rest and after TrA activation,. Thus indicating the ability to contract the abdominals by activating the TrA contraction, thereby activating the core mechanism improved after introductory level Pilate‘s training program. Highly significant result in endurance post Pilate‘s training program was obtained at p<0.05. Also, highly significant difference in the muscle thickness of EO, IO and TrA was noted at p<0.05. Conclusion: Pilate‘s training program is significantly effective in increasing strength of abdominal muscles and thereby improving lumbar spine stability.

Keywords: Internal Oblique (IO), Extenal Abloque (EO), Transversus Abdominis (TrA) Lumbar Stabilization, Ultrasound Imaging, Pilates‘ Exercise, Abdominal Endurance.