Continued Mat Pilates Exercise Improve Basal Physical Fitness, Core Stability and Back Pain in Healthy College Female

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of 8 weeks of mat Pilates exercise on back pain, muscle mass, isokinetic muscle function, and core stability in healthy college female. METHODS Twenty healthy college females (aged 21.7±2.5 years) were recruited for the study. The participants were divided into two groups: mat Pilates exercise group (MP, n=10) and non-Pilates control group (CON, n=10). The MP group participated in the mat Pilates exercise program for 60 minutes a day, 3 days per week for 8 weeks. Back pain and basal physical fitness were assessed before and after the experimental period. Left and right core stabilities at 0°, 45°, 90°, 135°, and 180° were measured using Centaur (BFMC, Germany). Isokinetic muscle function (60°/s) of both the knee and trunk was also measured using the isokinetic dynamometer Cybex. RESULTS After mat Pilates exercise for 8 weeks, there was a significant interaction between the MP and CON groups in back pain during daily activity and lower back stiffness (p<.05), respectively. There was also a significant interaction between the two groups in the left and right core stability at 45°, 90°, 135°, and 180° (p<.05, p<.01, p<.001), respectively. Additionally, there was a significant interaction between the two groups in the right knee and left knee isokinetic extensor muscle strength (p<.05, p<.001, respectively). However, there was no significant interaction between the two groups in trunk isokinetic extensor and flexor muscle strength (NS). There were no significant interactions between two groups in the muscle mass of total body, trunk, and legs (NS), respectively. Regarding basic physical fitness, there were significant interaction effects between the two groups in cardiovascular fitness, sagittal reach, and sit-ups (p<.05). CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that continued mat Pilates exercise can improve back pain and core stability with enhancement of leg isokinetic muscle strength independent of the muscle mass of the total body, trunk, and legs.