The Effect of Eight Weeks of Pilates Exercises on Dynamic Balance and Static in Patients with Spondylolysis

Abstract

Introduction: Spondylolysis is one-way stress fracture in the result of high activity or frequent overload looking for excessive extensions and strong and repetitive lumbar vertebrae, which reduces the balance in patients. This study aimed to assess the effect of eight weeks of Pilates exercise on dynamic and static balance in patients with spondylolysis. Materials and Methods: Fourteen women with spondylolysis diagnosed by a neurosurgeon were selected, and randomly divided into two equal groups of experimental and control. The experimental group performed selected Pilates exercises for eight weeks, three 60-minute session in a week; but during these time, control group did not participate in any treatment activity, and performed normal daily activities. Dynamic (Y test) and static (Stork test) balance were evaluated among the participants before and after eight weeks of training. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to analyze the data among the groups. Results: In experimental group, dynamic balance significantly increased in anterior, medioposterior, and lateroposterior dimensions (P < 0.001), but no significant differences were observed in control group in these dimensions, The differences between the experimental and control groups were significant as well (P < 0.001). In experimental group, static balance significantly increased (P = 0.004), but no significant differences were observed in the control group. The difference between the experimental and control groups was significant, too (P < 0.001). Conclusion: It can be concluded that Pilates selected training could improve dynamic and static balance in patients with spondylolysis. So, it could probably be suggested as a useful modality for rehabilitation in these patients.

Keywords

• Spondylolysis
• Pilates training
• Postural Balance
• Dynamic balance, Static balance