Abstract

Jyoti Maan*

ABSTRACT

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is a highly prevalent musculoskeletal disorder worldwide, often leading to functional limitations and recurrent episodes. Pilates exercise, originally developed as “Contrology,” emphasizes core strengthening, postural alignment, and breathing control, and has been increasingly utilized in rehabilitation programs. Its cardiovascular effects in patients with LBP, however, remain underexplored. Objectives: To evaluate the cardiovascular effects of Pilates exercises in individuals with mechanical low back pain compared to healthy individuals. Methodology: A comparative study was conducted on 60 participants, aged 30–50 years, divided into two groups: 30 patients with mechanical LBP (experimental) and 30 healthy individuals (control). A six-week Pilates intervention program, including exercises such as knee fold, single leg stretch, spine twist, flight, and hip extension, was administered four times per week. Heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were measured pre- and post-exercise using manual palpation and sphygmomanometer. Data were analyzed using paired and independent t-tests at 0.01 and 0.05 significance levels. Results: Pilates exercise produced significant cardiovascular changes in both groups. In LBP patients, HR and BP values were significantly higher than controls across several weeks (p<0.05). Pre- and post-exercise comparisons revealed significant increases in HR, SBP, and DBP, with the effect becoming more pronounced as repetitions increased. Conclusion: Pilates exercises impose notable cardiovascular demands in individuals with LBP and healthy subjects. Incorporating cardiovascular monitoring is essential when prescribing Pilates for rehabilitation, especially in patients with existing or potential cardiovascular risk. Pilates may also contribute to cardiac rehabilitation programs.