The effect of various pilates activities on abdominal muscles thickness

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate eight pilates exercise effective in thickness of abdominal muscles and to suggest effective pilates exercise. Methods/Statistical Analysis: This study was conducted in a total 21 participants applied the eight pilates exercise and using sonography during pilates exercise. Firstly, at resting position using scanning Transverse Abdominis (TrA), Internal Oblique (IO) and External Oblique (EO) thickness in sonography. After measurement, using sonography scanned thickness of the TrA, IO and EO while maintaining the eight pilates exercise. While maintaining exercise, scanning again done if the body was shaken violently. The starting position of all the exercise insupine position were proceeding at supine abdominal strength. Three times scanning was done to calculate and average per data was analyzed. Two minute resting time was taken between the exercises to prevent muscle fatigue. Findings: We compared the thickness variation of TrA, IO and EO in resting position and the eight pilates exercise shown (p < .05). Results of post-test, TrA showed significant differences in resting position, shoulder bridge, hundred, one leg stretch, double leg stretch, roll up, crisscross, scissors and one leg circle exercise (p < .05). IO was significantly different between resting position and roll up exercise (p < .05), EO; similarly significantly different for shoulder bridge between one leg stretch, crisscross and scissors (p < .05). Comparison of all the results, TrA, IO and EO were all statistically significant different (p