The Effects of the Pilates Exercises on Rectus Abdominis Thickness and Balance in Healthy Female Health Worker: Prospective, Single Blind Study with Controlled Group

Objective: To evaluate the effects of the Pilates exercises on rectus abdominis thickness (RAMT), balance and depression in female health worker.Design: 40 healthy female health-workers were included to the study.Group-1 joined the Pilates exercises for first 8 weeks, whereas Group-2 (control group) waited without joining Pilates exercises or any other exercise group, during that time.Falling index (FI) was evaluated with a system to test balance and stability by a trained researcher.All participants were instructed to follow a 45-min programme for three times a week, for eight weeks.Results: Age, BMI and marital status scales were not significantly different among the two groups.In group-1, RAMT values were significantly increased in rest and contracted position at the end of eight weeks of Pilate's session.BDS and FI were significantly decreased in Group-1 after 8 weeks.Interestingly, body weight mean value was higher after the Pilates exercises, but there was no significant difference.Group-2 showed that RAMT values were not significantly different in rest or in contracted position at the beginning and the 8th week. Conclusion:The results of the present study led us to conclude that Pilate's exercises have positive effects on RAMT and fall index.