The Pilates breathing technique increases the electromyographic amplitude level of the deep abdominal muscles in untrained people

Alexandre Wesley Carvalho Barbosa; Camila Antunes Guedes; Douglas Novaes Bonifácio; Angélica de Fátima Silva; Fábio Luiz Mendonça Martins; Michelle Cristina Sales Almeida Barbosa

doi:10.1016/j.jbmt.2014.05.011

The Pilates breathing technique increases the electromyographic amplitude level of the deep abdominal muscles in untrained people

J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2015 Jan;19(1):57-61. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2014.05.011. Epub 2014 Jun 5.

Authors

Alexandre Wesley Carvalho Barbosa¹, Camila Antunes Guedes², Douglas Novaes Bonifácio², Angélica de Fátima Silva², Fábio Luiz Mendonça Martins², Michelle Cristina Sales Almeida Barbosa³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Physiotherapy, Department of Graduate in Health Education, Federal University of Jequitinhonha and Mucuri Valleys, Campus JK, Diamantina, MG, MGT 367 Road, Km 583, nº 5000, Alto da Jacuba, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Electronic address: alexwbarbosa@yahoo.com.br.
² Department of Physiotherapy, Federal University of Jequitinhonha and Mucuri Valleys, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
³ Department of Graduate in Health Education, Federal University of Jequitinhonha and Mucuri Valleys, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

PMID: 25603743
DOI: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2014.05.011

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the behaviour of the upper rectus abdominis, lower rectus abdominis and transverse abdominis/internal oblique (TrA/IO) by using surface electromyography during trunk flexion with and without the Pilates breathing technique.

Methods: Nineteen female subjects (without experience of the Pilates method) were recruited. The muscles were evaluated while trunk flexion was performed by using the Pilates breathing technique (POW) and Step Barrel device, followed by another contraction without the technique (NORM). Normality was accepted, and the paired t-test was used to determine data differences (p < 0.05).

Results: Significant differences were noted in the amplitude level of activation between TrA/IO-POW and TrA/IO-NORM. The activation amplitude level of TrA/IO-POW significantly increased compared with all the other muscles under the NORM condition.

Conclusion: The breathing technique of the Pilates method associated with trunk flexion increases TrA/IO electrical activity.

Keywords: Breathing; Electromyography; Exercise; Pilates.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Abdominal Muscles / physiology*
Adult
Electromyography*
Exercise Movement Techniques / methods*
Female
Humans
Muscle Contraction / physiology*
Rectus Abdominis / physiology
Respiration*
Torso / physiology