Effects of Pilates exercise on trunk strength, endurance and flexibility in sedentary adult females

The objective of this study was to examine the effects of Pilates exercise on abdominal and lower back strength, abdominal muscular endurance and posterior trunk flexibility of sedentary adult females. The body fat and body mass index (BMI) pre-and post-data were also assessed as secondary outcomes. To assess abdominal and lower back strength, posterior trunk flexion and extension data were obtained concentrically on a Biodex isokinetic dynamometer at speeds of 601 and 120 degrees s(-1). Abdominal muscular endurance was assessed using the crunch test and posterior trunk flexibility was measured using the sit and reach test. Results of multivariate analysis revealed a significant difference (p < .05) between pre-and post-measures of 60 degrees s(-1) flexion/extension and 120 degrees s(-1) flexion, and abdominal muscular endurance and posterior trunk flexibility of the exercise group. It can be concluded that there was a positive effect of Modern Pilates mat exercises on abdominal and lower back muscular strength, abdominal muscular endurance and posterior trunk flexibility in sedentary adult females regardless of the fact that the body weight and fat percentages did not differ significantly. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.