Sedentary volunteers, but that would begin activities with the Pilates method and evaluated in three months.

Therapeutic intervention in the Pilates method has two regular weekly sessions for 12 weeks, totaling 24 sessions.

For the protocol of Pilates exercises, exercises on soil and equipment, with gradual progression of the load.

Sedentary volunteers and remain sedentary and evaluated in three months. The volunteers comprised the control group did not perform any physical activity during the study period.

Therapeutic intervention in the Pilates method has two regular weekly sessions for 12 weeks, totaling 24 sessions. For the protocol of Pilates exercises, exercises on soil and equipment, with gradual progression of the load.

Spirometry was carried out according to the guidelines of the American Thoracic Society (ATS) and European Respiratory Society (ERS) (2005). Three types of maneuver were used in order to evaluate the lung volumes and flows: Slow Vital Capacity (SVC), Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) and Maximum Voluntary Ventilation (MVV). The maneuvers were carried out until three acceptable and reproducible curves were obtained, not exceeding more than eight attempts. The values extracted from each maneuver were selected according to Pereira (2002), and the predicted values calculated using the equation proposed by Pereira et al. (1992) for Brazilians.

The measurement of thoracoabdominal mobility was performed by using a tape scaled in centimeters. In the standing position, the measurements were made at levels axillary, xiphoid and abdominal, during rest, and at maximal inspiration and maximal expiration. At each level, the measurements were performed three times. It computed the highest value of inspiration and the lowest of expiration. The absolute difference between these values was considered the thoracoabdominal mobility.

Respiratory muscle strength was assessed by measuring maximal respiratory pressures (MRP) with the use of an analog manometer, with operating range of ± 300 cmH2O.

The maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) was measured from a maximal expiration, near the residual volume. The maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) was measured from a maximal inspiration, near total lung capacity. Each inspiratory or expiratory effort was sustained for at least two seconds and was respected the 45 seconds between each maneuver.

To minimize the learning effect five measurements were performed and the difference between them should be as high as 10%. Was considered for analysis the highest value obtained.