Journal of Associated Medical Sciences (Jan 2017)
Effect of Pilates exercise on spinal stabilization in sedentary subjects with subacute non-specific low back pain
Abstract
Background: Modern lifestyle in both young and older people is increasingly sedentary with less demand for physical activity and inadequate active exercise. Fewer bodily movements and static posture, mainly sitting, results in a prolonged back muscle contraction which is a cause of back pain. Objectives: To investigate the effects of Pilates exercise on spinal stabilization in sedentary subjects with subacute non-specific low back pain. Materials and methods: Forty-two volunteers aged 18-23 years with sedentary lifestyle and subacute non-specific low back pain, were recruited. Subjects were divided into experimental (N=21) and control (N=21) groups. Subjects in experimental group performed Pilates exercise program which consisted of five movements, approximately 45 minutes/day, 4 days/week, for 4 consecutive weeks. Subjects in control group continued their normal daily activity without performing the exercise program. Outcome variables of the study were lumbopelvic stability measured by lumbopelvic stability test (LPST) and pain level measured by visual analogue scale (VAS). Results: At the end of the study, experimental group showed an increase in lumbopelvic stability (pre-test: max=3 and min=1, post-test: max=4 and min=2, p<0.001) and a decrease in level of low back pain (pre-test 5.07±1.80, post-test 1.53±1.30, p<0.001) compared to control group, with statistical significance. Conclusion: Results showed that Pilates exercise was effective in increasing spinal stability and decreasing pain level in sedentary subjects with subacute non-specific low back pain. Journal of Associated Medical Sciences 2017; 50(1): 114-122. Doi: 10.14456/jams.2017.10
