Background: In previous studies, many positive effects of Pilates have been reported on the health-related fitness factors (strength, flexibility, and body composition), and even though Pilates influences muscle shape, there are insufficient research about it.
In addition, it is necessary to verify the effectiveness of Pilates exercise using an online platform as an alternative enhancing physical activity due to the change in exercise paradigm by corona virus disease-19 (from face to face to screen to screen).
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of eight-week non-face-to-face Pilates exercise on the functional movement and quantity and quality of core muscles in sedentary men.
Methods: Ten sedentary men who are exercise beginners were participated in this study. The exercise program consisted of 3 times a week, 60 minutes per session for 8 weeks using online conference program. The muscle thickness (MT) and echo intensity (EI) of the rectus abdominis (RA), external oblique abdominis (EO), internal oblique abdominis (IO), transversus abdominis (TRA) and multifidus (MF) muscles were measured, using ultrasound. In addition, functional movement screen (FMS) and core muscle endurance test were measured to identify the function of the core muscles. All measurements were conducted before and after Pilates intervention.
Results: : The MT of the RA, EO, and IO showed statistically significant differences compared with before exercise (p < .01, respectively). Also, there were statistically significant differences in EI of MF (p < .05) and RA (p < .01). Furthermore, there were statistically significant changes in FMS and core muscle endurance (p < .01, respectively). Although there were significant relationships among ultasound(p < .05), FMS, and core muscle endurance, the tendency of relationships were not same.
Conclusion: It was demonstrated that non-face-to-face Pilates for 8-wk is an effective regimen for improving the quantity and quality of the core muscles and for enhancing the muscle endurance ability as well as FMS score. In addition, it was identified that the Pilates results in independent development of quantity, quality and exercise performance respectively.