Article

Objective: To assess claims regarding the effects of Pilates
training on flexibility, body composition, and health status.
Design: An observational prospective study.
Setting: A community athletic club.
Participants: A sample of 47 adults (45 women, 2 men)
who presented for Pilates training.
Interventions: Not applicable.
Main Outcome Measures: Fingertip-to-floor distance, truncal
lean body mass by bioelectric impedance, health status by
questionnaire and visual analog scale were assessed at baseline,
2, 4, and 6 months (
1wk).
Results: Thirty-two of 47 enrolled subjects met the protocol
requirements of missing no more than 1 weekly 1-hour session
Pilates mat class during each 2-month period. Investigators
were blinded to measurements from previous time points. Median
(interquartile range [IQR]) fingertip-to-floor distance improved
from baseline by 3.4cm (1.3­5.7cm), 3.3cm (0.3­
7.8cm), and 4.3cm (1.5­7.6cm) at 2, 4, and 6 months, respectively
(paired nonparametric analysis, all P.01). There were
no statistically significant changes in truncal lean body mass,
height, weight, or other body composition parameters. Selfassessment
of health also did not change in a statistically
significant manner from its baseline median (IQR) value of
77mm (69­85mm).
Conclusions: Pilates training may result in improved flexibility.
However, its effects on body composition, health status,
and posture are more limited and may be difficult to establish.
Further study might involve larger sample sizes, comparison
with an appropriate control group, and assessment of motor
unit recruitment as well as strength of truncal stabilizers.

Langue : ANGLAIS