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

Pilate’s exercises were originally designed for and used by performance artists, but have enjoyed wider popularity in recent years [1]. Joseph H. Pilates developed a comprehensive program known as the Pilates method in the 1920’s. Over the last decade, the popularity of this set of exercises has grown and Pilates is now used as a form of fitness and holistic health [2]. The Pilates method can offer significant improvement in personal autonomy, static balance and quality of life in elderly females [3]. The abdominal muscles flex the lumbar spine, where rectus abdominis is particularly powerful muscle. Acting collectively, the abdominal muscles not only increase intra-abdominal pressure but also affect forced expiration, sneezing and coughing [4]. Rectus abdominis muscle is one of the anterior abdominal muscles. This muscle is originated from pubic crest and pubic symphysis and inserted in xiphoid process and costal cartilages 5-7. It is innervated by intercostal nerve (T7-T11) and subcostal nerve (T12). Function of rectus abdominis is to depress ribs and flex trunk [5].