Abstract
We aimed to investigate whether mat Pilates intervention improves maximal isometric forces during knee extension and flexion in healthy young adults. This study included 23 college students (13 females and 10 males; aged 20.87 ± 0.76 years) randomly categorized into 2 groups: Pilates group (PG; n = 11; 4 females and 7 males) and control group (CG; n = 12; 9 females and 3 males). Participants in the PG performed a 60-min mat Pilates intervention once weekly for 12 weeks under the supervision of a licensed instructor. Participants in the CG received no Pilates intervention and were instructed to spend their daily life without any physical activity as much as possible. In both PG and CG, the maximal isometric forces were measured during knee extension and flexion movements before and after the intervention. Compared with pre-intervention evaluation, the PG exhibited significant improvements in both isometric knee extensor (p < 0.01) and flexor (p < 0.05) forces at post-intervention evaluation, whereas the CG showed no significant differences. Mat Pilates improved maximal isometric forces during knee flexion and extension. These findings suggest that mat Pilates intervention aids in the neuromuscular facilitation of the lower limbs and improves flexor and extensor muscle function in young adults.
