Purpose: To evaluate the effect of a Pilates exercise program (PEP) on the flexo-relaxation ratio (FRR) of the erector spinae (ES) muscle during standing maximal trunk flexion/extension in women with chronic low-back pain (LBP). A secondary goal was to investigate the effect of PEP on full trunk flexion ROM (TFRoM), pain intensity and functional capacity and analyse their relationship with the FRR. Material and methods: Thirty women with chronic LPB were randomly assigned to either PEP (EG, n=15) or control group (CG=15). EG followed an 8-week PEP while no specific intervention was carried out on the controls. Before and after this period all variables were recorded.
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of a Pilates exercise program (PEP) on the flexo-relaxation ratio (FRR) of the erector spinae (ES) muscle during standing maximal trunk flexion/extension in women with chronic low-back pain (LBP). A secondary goal is to investigate the effect of PEP on full trunk flexion ROM (TFRoM), pain intensity and functional capacity and analyse their relationship with the FRR.