Avaliação isocinética da musculatura envolvida na flexão e extensão do tronco: efeito do método Pilates®

Abstract

Trunk extensors and flexors muscles imbalance is strong indication of the etiology of low back pain. The aim of the present study was to verify the effect of Pilates © method upon trunk flexors and extensors isokinetic function. To do so, we selected 20 volunteers (16 women 34.06 ± 7.21 yrs; 4 men 33.5 ± 6.68 yrs) capable to perform the intermediate-advanced level of Pilates © method (25 sessions) during 12 weeks. Trunk extensor function was improved in all parameters evaluated (peak torque -25%, p = 0.0004; total work -28%, p = 0.0002; average power -30%, p = 0.0002; set total work performed -21%, p = 0.002). Trunk extensors showed a slight increase in total work (10%, p = 0.0003) and set total work performed (10%, p = 0.002). The trunk flexors:extensors ratio were decreased after Pilates © training (peak torque -24%, p = 0.0001; total work -23%, p = 0.002; average power -25%, p = 0.01; set total work performed -14%, p = 0.04). The Pilates © method seemed to be an efficient tool to strengthen the trunk extensors muscles, thus attenuating the imbalance between the muscles involved in trunk extension and flexion.

Lombalgia ocupacional e a postura sentada: efeitos da cinesioterapia laboral

“…Our study has shown a large percentage of employees with low back pain and who do not practice physical activities. Similar data were found by studies investigating factors related to low back pain 1,2,12 . Sedentary life seems to be related to lumbar discomfort.…”

“…Investigators state that low back pain is a common symptom in sedentary people. Physical inactivity favors paravertebral and abdominal muscles weakness, decreases posterior muscle chain of lower limbs flexibility and joint mobility 12 . So, it may be considered a risk factor for low back pain genesis.…”

The Pilates® Method in the treatment of lower back pain

“…In the United States, lower back pain is the leading cause of physical disability in the context of work. Yearly expenditures in terms of medical costs and indemnity was estimated around 20 billion dollars in the 1990s, with an increase of 150% for the next decade (3).…”

Efeitos de exercícios do método Pilates na força muscular respiratória de idosas: um ensaio clínico

“…O método se baseia no conceito da contrologia, em que todos os movimentos do corpo devem ser totalmente conscientes, entendendo seus princípios de equilíbrio e gravidade nos diferentes momentos. 8 O método Pilates surge como forma de condicionamento físico particularmente interessado em proporcionar bem-estar geral ao indivíduo, sendo capaz de proporcionar força, flexibilidade, boa postura, controle postural, consciência corporal e percepção do movimento. 9 Os exercícios que compõem o método envolvem contrações isotônicas (concêntricas e excêntricas) e sobretudo isométricas, com ênfase no que Joseph Pilates denominou powerhouse (ou centro de força).…”