Effect of a Pilates exercise program on the flexion-relaxation rate in women with chronic low back pain

PurposeTo evaluate the effect of a Pilates exercise program (PEP) on FRR and FRR asymmetry of the erector spinae (ES) muscle during standing maximal trunk flexion/extension in women with chronic low-back pain (LBP). A secondary goal was to investigate the effect of PEP on full trunk flexion ROM (TFRoM), pain intensity and functional capacity and analyse their relationship with the FRR. Material and methodsThirty women with chronic LPB were randomly assigned to either PEP (EG, n=15) or control group (CG=15). EG followed an 8-week PEP while no specific intervention was carried out on the controls. Before and after this period all variables were recorded. ResultsFRR did not show any significant changes between or within groups (p>0.05). EG showed a significant statistical difference in the FRR asymmetry pre- and post-intervention (p{square} 0.05). Full TFRoM did not show any significant changes between or within groups (p>0.05). EG showed a significant decrease of 30% on pain intensity and a significant increase of 13.4 % in functional capacity (P{square}0.001) from pre to post-intervention. ConclusionsAn 8-week PEP does not affect FRR nor full trunk ROM, however yields improvements in pain intensity and functional capacity.Professionals should be aware of the negative effect on FRR asymmetry.