Effect of Instrument-based Pilates on Deep Abdominal Muscle Thickness for Core Stabilization

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of equipment use during Pilates exercises on deep abdominal muscle thickness. Thirty women who participated in a Pilates class for at least 6 months [mean experience (years), 3.20 ± 1.76] were enrolled in the study. The Pilates exercises consisted of Ab Preb and Half Roll Back with a Pilates ring and foam roller. The muscle thickness of the transversus abdominis (TrA), internal oblique (IO), and external oblique (EO) were assessed using an ultrasound scan image. During the Ab Preb exercise, the thickness of the IO and TrA muscles was increased with and without the foam roller and Pilates ring (p<.001). During the Half Roll Back exercise, the thickness of the TrA muscle was increased with and without the Pilates ring (p<.001), and the thickness of the IO muscle was increased with (p<.05) and without the pilates ring (p<.001). There was no significant change in the EO muscle thickness. In this study, both Ab Preb and Half Roll Back exercises increased muscle thickness; however, use of the foam roller and Pilates ring did not affect muscle thickness. These results were obtained based on that exercise involving only the upper body. Therefore, further investigation is needed to determine the effect of instrument use in Pilates exercises involving a various movements of the upper body, core and lower body.