A eficácia do método pilates na melhora da força muscular e flexibilidade em indivíduos saudáveis: uma revisão de literatura

Abstract

The Pilates method has gained popularity in recent years and has been practiced by a large number of people as a form of physical activity or inserted in the rehabilitation process. Considering that much of the healthy individuals who practice Pilates method seeks to improve muscle strength and flexibility, the documentation of the effects of the method on these outcomes is important to support its use in this population. Therefore, the aim of this study was to conduct a critical review of the literature on studies investigating the effectiveness of Pilates in improving flexibility and muscle strength in healthy subjects. A search for scientific articles was conducted in the following bases: : SciELO, LILACS and MEDLINE, It was used as descriptors pilates, flexibility, force e strength. 40 articles were found, of which nine were included in this review. From the selected studies, seven evaluated the efficacy of Pilates to improve muscle flexibility, four evaluated the efficacy of this method to improve muscle strength and two assessed the effects of the method on flexibility and muscle strength. The flexibility evaluated in the studies was of the posterior muscle chain and the strength measured was of the abdominal muscles and knee flexors and extensors muscles. The population studied was composed mostly by young, active women, (independent for activities of daily living). Pilates exercises were applied, in most studies, on floor, and only three studies used Pilates with equipments apparatus. All included studies reported significant effects of the Pilates method in the outcomes assessed. Therefore, through this review, it can be concluded that the Pilates method is effective to improve flexibility and muscle strength in healthy subjects.