Effects of Pilates on Respiratory Mechanics

Influence of Application of the Pilates Method on Pulmonary Function, Thoracic Mobility and Respiratory Muscle Strength

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of a fitness program from the application of Pilates on lung function, thoracoabdominal mobility and respiratory muscle strength in women.

Study in the Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy laboratory and clinics of Pilates in the region, in which the voluntary of the Pilates group would start the Pilates method.

The study included women with body mass index (BMI) ≤ 29 kg/m2 were not engaged in regular physical activity, or sedentary lifestyle with scores up to eight, according to Baecke et al., non-smoker, non-alcoholic, without any abnormalities of the cardiovascular, respiratory and neuromuscular.

The study excluded women with disabling diseases, pregnancy, postpartum less than a year, inability to understand the tests and exercises proposed or refuse to participate in the study.

The volunteers, aged between 25 and 55 years, were allocated in to two groups:

1. Pilates Group (n = 16): sedentary volunteers, but that would begin activities with the Pilates method and evaluated three months.
2. Control group (n = 13): sedentary volunteers and remain sedentary and evaluated in three months.

Inclusion Criteria:

• body mass index (BMI) ≤ 29 kg/m2
• not physically active on a regular basis, ie, sedentary lifestyle with scores up to eight, according to Baecke et al.
• nonsmokers
• non-alcoholic
• without any abnormalities in the cardiovascular, respiratory or neuromuscular

Exclusion Criteria:

• disabling diseases
• gestation
• puerperium there is less than a year
• inability to understand the tests and exercises proposed