Effect of 8 Weeks Un-tact Pilates Home Training on Body Composition, Abdominal Obesity, Pelvic Tilt and Strength, Back Pain in Overweight Women after Childbirth

Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to observe the effects of at home Pilates exercise, using a real-time web program in postpartum women where measurements of body composition, abdominal obesity, pelvic tilt, back pain and Oswestry Disability Index will be taken.Methods: Subjects included postpartum women under the age of 45 that were registered at the C Cultural Women’s Center in Bundang, Gyeonggi-do. All subjects were within 1 year of childbirth, had no medical opinion and were not receiving medication. A total of 16 people were enrolled in this experiment, which consisted of a Pilates Exercise group (EX, n=8) and a control group (CON, n=8). Measurements of body composition, abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness and circumference, pelvic tilt, pelvic strength, and back pain index were all assessed prior to being exposed to experimental measures. After 8 weeks of un-tact home Pilates exercise, a followup examination was conducted to observe the group-specific changes.Results: The group that participated in the un-tact home Pilates exercise showed a decrease in body fat, BMI, and visceral fat postpartum. Abdominal obesity tests showed a significant reduction in subcutaneous fat thickness, abdominal and hip circumference. The pelvic tilt test showed a reduction in the pelvic slope of the EX-group. Finally, the Oswestry Disabililty Index test showed the total score of the EX-group had decreased, confirming that Pilates exercise in this study was effective for back pain.Conclusions: Thus, un-tact home Pilates exercise using a real time web program is an effective intervention that can be used to prevent postpartum obesity by reducing abdominal and total body adiposity postpartum, assisting pelvic function, and improving muscle strength while also reducing back pain.