Comparison of deep and superficial abdominal muscle activity between experienced Pilates and resistance exercise instructors and controls during stabilization exercise

Abstract

Pilates and resistance exercises are used for lumbar stabilization training. However, it is unclear which exercise is more effective for lumbar stabilization. In our study, we aimed to compare surface muscle activity and deep muscle thickness during relaxation and spinal stabilization exercise in experienced Pilates and resistance exercise instructors. This study is a retrospective case control study set in the Exercise Prescription Laboratory and Sports Medicine Center. The participants included Pilates instructors (mean years of experience, 3.20±1.76; n=10), resistance exercise instructors (mean years of experience, 2.53±0.63; n=10), and controls (n=10). The participants performed 4 different stabilization exercises: abdominal drawing-in maneuver, bridging, roll-up, and one-leg raise. During the stabilization exercises, surface muscle activity was measured with electromyography, whereas deep muscle thickness was measured by ultrasound imaging. During the 4 stabilization exercises, the thickness of the transverse abdominis (TrA) was significantly greater in the Pilates-trained group than the other 2 other groups. The internal oblique (IO) thickness was significantly greater in the Pilates- and resistance-trained group than the control group, during the 4 exercises. However, the surface muscle activities were similar between the groups. Both Pilates and resistance exercise instructors had greater activation of deep muscles, such as the TrA and IO, than the control subjects. Pilates and resistance exercise are both effective for increasing abdominal deep muscle thickness.

Core Muscle Activity during Physical Fitness Exercises: A Systematic Review

“…The participant is asked to breathe in and tuck the chin in toward the body. Then, the participant is asked to breathe out while rolling up and lifting the upper body [72].…”

“…The supporting leg keeps knee flexion and one foot on the floor. This exercise may vary depending on specific protocols (e.g., foam roll or balance cushion as foot support) [39,67,72].…”

“…The hip is lifted in a hip extension movement, keeping a straight line between the shoulders and the knees. This exercise may vary depending on specific protocols (e.g., suspended bridge, bridge with hamstring curl on Swiss ball, unilateral bridge or supine plank on suspension systems) [25,45,48,50,52,61,64,66,72,81,82]. Table 2.…”

The Effects of the Use of Pilates Equipment during Pilates Hundred, Swimming Exercise on the Muscle Activation of Abdominal Muscles, Lumbar Erector Spinae, Gluteus of Lumbar Disc Disease Patients

“…Hundred is a typical abdominal exercise among Pilates motions, and it is reported that Hundred affects the thickness increase of muscle TrA and IO and EO muscles as well as increase in muscle activity of EO muscle, IO muscle [24][25][26]. The study of muscle activity through EMG by Lee & Jeong [25] also reported that the muscle activity of RA muscle and EO muscle increased during Pilates Hundred motion.…”

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

“…Pilates exercises on deep abdominal muscle thickness increased significantly higher compared to resistance exercises [7] We need to investigate short time (8 weeks) effect of Pilates exercise on the important abdominal muscle rectus abdominis. In this way we have an idea of cost and time effect of Pilates exercise to plan new study.…”