The influence of Pilates training on the ability to contract the Transversus Abdominis muscle in asymptomatic individuals

The neuromuscular system acts to maintain postural stability and reduce the impact of deleterious loads on the spine. Exercising of the abdominal muscles has become widely used in the management of low back pain in order to provide this supplement to spinal stability. Several exercise programmes have been advocated to promote stabilization but evaluation is difficult. This study evaluates two common forms of exercise effects on the ability to appropriately contract Transversus Abdominis (TrA) muscle, whose normal function is regarded as significant in spinal stability. Thirty-six asymptomatic females were examined. Twelve formed the Pilates trained group, 12 the abdominal curl group (both attending a minimum of 25 classes in 6 months) and 12 were non-training controls. A pressure biofeedback unit (PBU) was used to assess performance of the TrA muscle during an abdominal hollowing activity (TrA isolation test) and under limb load (Lumbo-pelvic stability test). The percentage of subjects passing the TrA isolation test was 10 subjects (83%) from the Pilates group, four subjects (33%) from the abdominal curl group, and three subjects (25%) from the control group. The percentage of subjects passing the lumbo-pelvic stability test was five subjects (42%) from the Pilates group, all the subjects from both the abdominal curl and control groups failed the test. The study appears to indicate that Pilates trained subjects could contract the TrA and maintain better lumbo-pelvic control than do those who perform regular abdominal curl exercises, or no abdominal muscle exercises. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.