The present study reveals the existence of asymmetries in the muscles of the abdominal wall in nonactive healthy women. Pilates practice twice a week for 9 months elicits hypertrophy of the abdominal wall muscles, particularly of the RA, and eliminates preexisting asymmetries of the OT. Modern Pilates can be recommended as an effective method to reinforce the muscles of the abdominal wall and to compensate preexisting asymmetric developments.

Background: The use of Pilates in various fields of sport sciences and rehabilitation is increasing; however, little is known about the muscle adaptations induced by this training method. Hypothesis: A standardized Pilates training program for beginners (9 months; 2 sessions of 55 minutes per week) will increase the muscle volume and reduce potential side-to-side asymmetries of the quadratus lumborum, iliopsoas, piriformis, and gluteus muscles (gluteus maximus, medius, and minimus). Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Level of Evidence: Level 3. Method: A total of 12 inactive, healthy women (35.7 ± 5.4 years) without previous experience in Pilates were randomly selected to participate in a supervised Pilates program (36 weeks, twice weekly). Muscle volume (cm3) was determined using magnetic resonance imaging at the beginning and end of the intervention program. Side-to-side asymmetry was calculated as [(left – right volume) × 100/right volume]. Results: Small, nonsignificant ( P > 0.05) differences in the volume of the quadratus lumborum, iliopsoas, piriformis, and gluteus muscles were observed between pre– and post–Pilates program timepoints. Before and after Pilates, side-to-side asymmetry was less than 6% and nonsignificant in all muscles analyzed. Conclusion: Modern Pilates performed twice weekly for 9 months did not elicit substantial changes in the volume and degree of asymmetry of the selected lumbopelvic muscles in inactive women. Clinical Relevance: The benefits of Pilates in rehabilitation or training are likely elicited by neuromuscular rather than morphological adaptations. Pilates has no significant impact on muscle volume and does not alter side-to-side ratios in muscle volume (degree of asymmetry) of the lumbopelvic muscles.

Correo electrónico: pilardm@unizar.es (P. De Miguel-Etayo).Body composition; Multi-intervention approach; Dual X-ray absorptiometry; Fat mass loss programme; Muscular fitness; Handgrip strength Aim. Physical fitness has been considered a powerful marker of health, in childhood and in adulthood, independent of physical activity. A low fitness status during childhood and adolescence is associated with important health-related outcomes, such as increased future risk for obesity and cardiovascular diseases, impaired skeletal health. Moreover, the main objectives of weight loss interventions in children and adolescents are to decrease fat mass while maintaining fat-free mass. The aim was to assess the relation between body-fat changes and strength performance in obese adolescents after 13 months in a multidisciplinary intervention.Methods. Multi-intervention approach (diet, physical activity and psychological support in a family-group-based treatment) was implemented with a one-year intervention in 13-to-16-year-old overweight or obese Spanish adolescents. A total of 78 adolescents were recruited from Granada and Zaragoza, males (n = 42) (31.98 kg/m 2 ) and females (n = 36) (32.24 kg/m 2 ). We measured body composition with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and muscular fitness was assessed by standing broad jump and handgrip strength. All measurements were made at baseline and 13 months. Non-parametric Spearman's rho partial correlation coefficients were applied to assess the associations between body-fat and strength performance based on anthropometric measurements at the end of the EVASYON treatment programme (13 months), controlling for potential confounders (age and Tanner stage).Results. After controlling for age and Tanner stage, the bodyfat during the EVASYON programme was significantly correlated with handgrip strength changes in females (rho = -0.438, p = 0.022).Moreover, in males body-fat changes was correlated with standing broad jump changes (rho = -0.407, p = 0.058).Conclusions. We found handgrip strength would be a good predictor of body-fat composition changes in females and standing broad jump in males. However, more researches are needed to find the best physical fitness predictor to body composition changes.http://dx. Aim.The purpose of the present study was to analyze the effects of Pilates on the volume of iliopsoas muscles.Methods. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to determine the volume of gluteal muscles in 9 non-active healthy women, before and after 36 wk of a standardized Pilates training program (50 min/session, 2 session/wk). The MRI images (L1-L2 intervertebral disc to pubic symphysis), were used to calculate the volume iliopsoas. Pre-and postraining comparisons were carried out using the paired Student's t-test. Significant differences were assumed when P < 0.05.Results. Before Pilates, the volume of iliopsoas was similar in the dominant and in the non-dominant side (248,4 ± 43.4 vs. 251.8 ± 31.8 cm 3 , P = 0.4). Compared to pre-training, after Pilates the volume of iliopsoas was...