"How do pilates trained physiotherapists utilize and value pilates exercise for MSK conditions? A qualitative study"

Background Pilates is a popular exercise therapy approach offering numerous benefits, including muscular strength, flexibility, control, and core stability. Pilates has been widely utilized in the prevention and rehabilitation of a variety of musculoskeletal disorders. Objectives The aim of this study was to explore the experiences and opinions of Pilates trained NHS and private practice physiotherapists in the UK, regarding the perceived benefits, risks, delivery and rationale for this exercise method. Methods This qualitative study used a self‐designed electronic survey to retrieve the views of 30 physiotherapists, who had undertaken formal Pilates Instruction training, recruited by a purposive and snowball sampling method. Questions were either multiple choice or open‐ended, examined via thematic analysis. Results Physiotherapists identified the most important benefits of Pilates as reduction in fear‐avoidance, improving bodily awareness and increasing muscular strength. Exercises that promote general movement were highlighted as being particularly useful, with a majority recommending daily practice for optimum benefit. Participants recognized lack of core strength as a key indicator, whereas others criticized excessive focus on this principle. Conclusions Physiotherapists identified a range of inter‐linked benefits and recognized that Pilates is hugely modifiable. Individualizing exercises can further encourage participation and negate the restriction of some health conditions. NHS and Private Practice Therapists utilize Pilates in a similar way, although rationales for its use may differ, as the justification for Pilates exercise may be evolving. Pilates appears a valuable methodology in the NHS, which can help patients engage with activity

Teoreettiset perusteet Pilates-harjoitusohjelmalle kroonisessa alaselkäkivussa

Tämän opinnäytetyön tarkoituksena oli tehdä teoreettisten perusteiden pohjalta Pilates-harjoitusohjelma kroonisille alaselkäkipupotilaille. Tavoitteena oli selvittää, miten Pilates-menetelmällä voidaan vaikuttaa keskivartalon hallintaan. Syvien eli lokaalien lihasten aktivaatio on tärkeä, sillä niiden puutteellinen toiminta altistaa kiputiloille ja virheellisille asentotottumuksille, mikä heikentää toimintakykyä. Syvien lihasten harjoittaminen on vaikeaa, koska niiden tehtävänä ei ole saada aikaan liikettä, vaan kontrolloida rangan jäykkyyttä ja lannerangan oikeaa asentoa. Pinnallisten eli globaalien lihasten merkitystä ei saa myöskään unohtaa. Teoriaosuudessa käsiteltiin kipua, kivunhallintaa, kroonista alaselkäkipua, lokaaleja ja globaaleja lihaksia, lihasten harjoittamista ja niiden merkitystä lannerangan stabiliteettiin. Lisäksi työssä perehdyttiin Pilates-menetelmään ja tutkimuksiin Pilates-menetelmän vaikuttavuudesta. Teoreettisen tiedon pohjalta tuotettiin Pilates-harjoitusohjelma kroonisille alaselkäkipupotilaille. Harjoitusohjelma valokuvattiin ja liikkeiden oikea suoritustapa kuvattiin sanallisesti. Harjoitusohjelman teoriapohjaa ja valittuja harjoituksia voisi hyödyntää tulevaisuudessa omassa työssä. Myös muut fysioterapeutit voisivat käyttää hyödykseen opinnäytetyön tietoperustaa ja sen tuloksia. Tuloksena saatua harjoitusohjelmaa voidaan käyttää kroonisten alaselkäkipupotilaiden kuntoutukseen.The purpose of the study was to create the theoretical principles of the Pilates -method for chronic low back pain patients. This study tried to find out how the Pilates -method affects of the control of the lumbar-pelvic region. The activation of local deep trunk muscles is important because if they are not working properly, they can cause pain and improper postures. The training of deep muscles is demanding, because their task is not to create the movement, but to control the stiffness and proper locomotion of the trunk. The purpose of the global muscles should not be forgotten. The theoretical part deals with pain, the control of pain, chronic low back pain, local and the global muscles, training of the muscles and their role in the stability of the lumbar spine. Also, there is section on the method of Pilates training and studies about the effects of the Pilates -method. Based on the theoretical studies, a Pilates training program for patients with chronic low back pain was developed. The training program was photographed and the correct training technique was documented in writing. The theoretical part of this study could be used in work in the future. Also, other physiotherapists might benefit from the results of this work. The training program from this thesis might be used for the rehabilitation of clients experiencing chronic low back pain

Transformation of anthropological status in elderly with type II diabetes through exercise: pilates and aerobic exercise

Las estadísticas muestran que 285 millones de personas sufren de Diabetes Tipo II, esto es el 6% de la población mundial adulta y 60 millones de personas en los Estados Unidos (10% de la población). De los 47 millones de habitantes que posee España, mas de 3 millones de personas sufren de diabetes (6.4%). En el año 2010 se gastaron más de 106 mil millones de dólares en salud por causa de la diabetes en los Estados Unidos. El ejercicio físico es una manera de evitar la diabetes en la población a través de: un mejor uso de la propia insulina producida por el cuerpo, de la quema de grasas, del control del peso corporal, del aumento de la fuerza muscular y del aumento en la densidad y calidad ósea. Una frecuencia semanal de 250 a 300 minutos de actividad física puede resultar de gran ayuda en el control de esta patología. La práctica de Pilates es un ejercicio que puede ser utilizado para lograr fácilmente un estado físico saludable. Puede ser realizado en el hogar, aprendiendo la técnica a través de la TV o de DVDs, es conveniente y sin costos. Además no presenta riesgos para las personas con diabetes tipo II, quienes son vulnerables por presentar una biomecánica disminuida en los miembros inferiores y/o una disfunción de la marcha

Efeitos dos exercícios pilates na função do tronco e na dor de pacientes com lombalgia / Effects of pilates exercices on trunk function and pain in patients with low back pain

Introdução: Evidências científi cas atuais apontam que a falta de resistência da musculatura lombar é o principal fator para desenvolvimento das dores lombares. O exercício físico em geral tem se mostrado benéfi co para recuperação da funcionalidade bem como para melhora dos sintomas clínicos dos pacientes com lombalgia crônica. Objetivo: Avaliar os efeitos de um treinamento físico por meio dos exercícios de Pilates de solo nas variáveis de dor, flexibilidade, equilíbrio, força e resistência dos músculos lombares em pacientes com lombalgia de origem desconhecida. Método: Foram avaliados 12 pacientes com lombalgia crônica (idade média de 33 anos), que realizaram um período de treinamento com o método tradicional de 13 exercícios Pilates (básico e intermediário no mat), duas vezes na semana, com duração de uma hora, durante um total de 11 semanas. As principais medidas de resultados analisadas pré- e pós-treinamento Pilates foram: (1) flexibilidade (Banco de Wells), (2) equilíbrio unipodal (plataforma de força), (3) força lombar (dinamometria), (4) resistência lombar (teste de Sorensen), e dor (Escala Visual Analógica: EVA). Resultados: A amostra fi nal do estudo foi de quatro voluntários devido à perda experimental. Os resultados mostraram uma diminuição significativa da dor (P < 0.05), mas nenhuma diferença significativa entre pré- e pós-treinamento Pilates para as demais variáveis, apesar da leve melhora na fl exibilidade e força. Conclusão: Os resultados do presente estudo apresentaram efeitos benéfi cos do treinamento Pilates para diminuir os sintomas de dor. Entretanto, novos estudos com maior número amostral devem ser realizados para melhor estabelecer os protocolos de exercícios Pilates em pacientes com lombalgia crônica. Introduction: Scientific evidences report that poor back muscle endurance is the most risk factor for developing low back pain. Overall, physical exercise has been effective to recovery of the functioning as well as to improve the clinical symptoms of patients with low back pain. Objective: To assess the effects of Pilates training on mat in variables of flexibility, balance, strength and endurance of the lumbar extensor muscles in patients with low back pain unknown. Method: 16 patients with chronic low back pain (mean age 33 yrs) performed a training program with a mat method of 13 Pilates exercises (basic and intermediate), 2 x a week for a session of approximately 1h, during 11 weeks. The main outcome measures analyzed before (pre-) and post-Pilates training were: fl exibility (sit-and-reach during a Wells test), unipodal support (under a force platform), strength (lumbar dynamometer) and endurance (Sorensen test) of lumbar muscles and pain (VAS). Results: Significant decrease of the pain was found (P < 0.05). However, no significant changes were found for other variables analyzing in pre- and post-training, although the slight improvement in the flexibility and strength. Conclusions: The results of the present study showed the effi cacy of the Pilates exercises to decrease pain. However, more studies would be conducted using much more subjects to establish better standardization of Pilates exercises in patients with low back pain

The effect of selected Pilates exercises on some respiratory parameters of obese sedentary women

Background: Obesity has adverse effects on respiratory mechanisms and is considered as a risk factor for respiratory problems. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of the selected Pilates exercise program on some respiratory parameters of obese sedentary women. Materials and Methods: In this randomized experimental study with pre- and post-test design, 24 inactive obese women (with the mean age 38.4&plusmn;8.61 years and BMI 35.6&plusmn;2.95 kg/m2) were randomly divided into two groups of exercise (n=15) and control (n=9). The experimental group participated in a Pilates training program) 8 weeks, 3 times per week), while the control group did not participate in any training program. Some respiratory parameters were measured before and after the training program by a spirometer. Results: The results showed that Pilates training increased vital capacity (IVC) by 10, inspiratory reserve volume (IRV) by 19, expiratory reserve volume (ERV) by 51 , tidal volume (VT) by 29, peak expiratory flow (PEF) by 88, peak inspiratory flow (PIF) by 28, maximum expiratory flow 25 (MEF25) by 55, maximum expiratory flow 50 (MEF50) by 63, maximum expiratory flow 75 (MEF75) by 89, maximum expiratory flow 75-85 (MEF75-85) by 93 , which this increase was not significant in the IRV and VT indexes. Conclusion: It seems that Pilates exercises can increase the performance of the respiratory muscles in obese sedentary women and improve lung function by increasing some respiratory parameters

Comparing the Effects of Various Exercise Regimens on Anxiety Levels in College Aged Students

Generalized anxiety disorder is described as excessive and inappropriate worrying that is persistent and not restricted to particular circumstances. Anxiety has recently surpassed depression as the number one mental health disorder on college campuses. Multiple studies have shown that exercise reduces anxiety symptoms and feelings of stress. Many students enroll in physical activity courses due to college requirements, or as a way to engage in regular physical activity. On our campus, yoga and pilates are two of the most popular physical activity courses and require two 50-minute sessions each week. The purpose of this study was to determine whether participation in these courses has a significant impact in reducing anxiety in a traditional college population. We surveyed students enrolled in either a yoga or pilates class and compared their responses to a control group not enrolled in a physical activity course

Pelvic floor muscle training for secondary prevention of pelvic organ prolapse (PREVPROL): a multicentre randomised controlled trial

BackgroundPelvic floor muscle training can reduce prolapse severity and symptoms in women seeking treatment. We aimed to assess whether this intervention could also be effective in secondary prevention of prolapse and the need for future treatment.MethodsWe did this multicentre, parallel-group, randomised controlled trial at three centres in New Zealand and the UK. Women from a longitudinal study of pelvic floor function after childbirth were potentially eligible for inclusion. Women of any age who had stage 1–3 prolapse, but had not sought treatment, were randomly assigned (1:1), via remote computer allocation, to receive either one-to-one pelvic floor muscle training (five physiotherapy appointments over 16 weeks, and annual review) plus Pilates-based pelvic floor muscle training classes and a DVD for home use (intervention group), or a prolapse lifestyle advice leaflet (control group). Randomisation was minimised by centre, parity (three or less vs more than three deliveries), prolapse stage (above the hymen vs at or beyond the hymen), and delivery method (any vaginal vs all caesarean sections). Women and intervention physiotherapists could not be masked to group allocation, but allocation was masked from data entry researchers and from the trial statistician until after database lock. The primary outcome was self-reported prolapse symptoms (Pelvic Organ Prolapse Symptom Score [POP-SS]) at 2 years. Analysis was by intention to treat. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01171846.FindingsBetween Dec 21, 2008, and Feb 24, 2010, in New Zealand, and Oct 27, 2010, and Sept 5, 2011, in the UK, we randomly assigned 414 women to the intervention group (n=207) or the control group (n=207). One participant in each group was excluded after randomisation, leaving 412 women for analysis. At baseline, 399 (97%) women had prolapse above or at the level of the hymen. The mean POP-SS score at 2 years was 3·2 (SD 3·4) in the intervention group versus 4·2 (SD 4·4) in the control group (adjusted mean difference −1·01, 95% CI −1·70 to −0·33; p=0·004). The mean symptom score stayed similar across time points in the control group, but decreased in the intervention group. Three adverse events were reported, all of which were in the intervention group (one women had a fall, one woman had a pain in her tail bone, and one woman had chest pain and shortness of breath).InterpretationOur study shows that pelvic floor muscle training leads to a small, but probably important, reduction in prolapse symptoms. This finding will be important for women and caregivers considering preventive strategies.FundingWellbeing of Women charity, the New Zealand Continence Association, and the Dean's Bequest Fund of Dunedin School of Medicine

Acute Effects of Exercise on Cognitive Performances of Older Adults

Accelerating rates of structural decline become evident during the third and fourth decades of human life, with disproportionate degeneration occurring in the frontal, parietal, and temporal brain lobes. As the structure of the brain declines, a broad array of cognitive processes involving memory, decision making, and selective attention are reduced as well (Raz 2000, Park et al. 2001). Cardiovascular exercise has been associated with improved cognitive functioning in aging humans, suggesting that increased vascular supply enhances availability of oxygen, nutrients, and other physical entities to nourish the brain. Previous experimentation on older adults revealed significant positive effects of exercise on a variety of memory types following participation in a program six or more months in duration (Colcombe 2003, Kramer et al.1999). The primary focus of this study was to test the effects of acute aerobic exercise on cognitive functioning of adults over the age of 60. A second purpose was to determine that the positive neurological effects of exercise can start taking place immediately. The hypothesis is that memory retention, mental processing speed, and selective attention would acutely improve in the participants after they had exercised, in comparison to their cognitive state prior to exercise. Cognitive performances both before and after exercise were tested using the Stroop test. All participants completed the post-exercise test with improved scores (p=0.000) indicating an increase in cognitive ability, relating exercise and improved cognitive function