Effects of Pilates Exercises on Core Stability After Recovery from COVID-19: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Wafaa Mahmoud Amin; Olfat Ibrahim Ali; Shazia Malik; Suhair Asous I Draj; Fatima Ahmed M Masoud; Amal Mohammed I Sohel; Asayil Mari Al Amer; Rasmiah Hassan H Khurayzi; Mohamed M Ahmed

doi:10.2147/JMDH.S453050

Effects of Pilates Exercises on Core Stability After Recovery from COVID-19: A Randomized Controlled Trial

J Multidiscip Healthc. 2024 Feb 20:17:753-763. doi: 10.2147/JMDH.S453050. eCollection 2024.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Department of Physical Therapy, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia.
² Basic Science for Physical Therapy Department, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.
³ Physical Therapy Program, Batterjee Medical College, Jeddah, 21442, Saudi Arabia.
⁴ Basic Science Department, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.
⁵ Basic Science Department, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, Egypt.

^# Contributed equally.

Abstract

Purpose: The primary objective was to investigate the effects of Pilates exercises on CS, and the secondary objective was to assess static trunk balance after recovery from COVID-19.

Patients and methods: 145 recovered COVID-19 university students between the ages of 19 and 25 participated in this single-blinded, randomized controlled trial study. The participants were divided into a Pilates group and a control group, each of which received a home exercise program. Core muscle endurance was measured using the five basic endurance tests and static balance using the Prokin system with open eyes (OE) and closed eyes (CE) at baseline and after three months of treatment.

Results: All measured parameters showed improvement within the groups after treatment. Group comparison revealed a significant increase in the Pilates group in all core endurance tests (P<0.001). The Prokin system results showed improvement in the Pilates group after treatment, while perimeter with OE, CE, and ellipse area with EC decreased (P<0.001), but there was no significant difference in ellipse with OE between the groups.

Conclusion: Pilates exercises positively improved core muscle endurance and trunk balance in people infected with COVID-19, which will be reflected in their quality of movement patterns and quality of life.

Keywords: COVID-19; core endurance; pilates; postural balance.

Grants and funding

The study received no specific financial support from public, commercial, or non-profit funding bodies.