The Effects of Pilates Exercise on Cardiometabolic Health, Low Back Pain and Disease

Abstract

Pilates is a form of exercise that challenges core strength and seeks to improve both muscular endurance and postural alignment and it may prove to be helpful for those with medical issues in improving general fitness through building strength and flexibility. This paper reviews the studies that investigated the efficacy of Pilates exercises on medical conditions including cardiometabolic parameters, low back pain, multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, ankylosing spondylitis, and breast cancer. Due to the limited number of studies investigating cardiometabolic parameters, it is difficult to draw a conclusion despite some favorable findings. While more studies exist on the effect of Pilates on low back pain than studies on other conditions, they are still limited and lack generalizability due to the heterogeneity of participants as well as the variability of exercises prescribed. Even then, it appears that Pilates is feasible and effective in alleviating symptoms associated with low back pain and other medical conditions. Overall, the studies reviewed here have shown high adherences rates in Pilates training with no adverse effects.