Comparison of Abdominal and Lower Extremity Muscle Activity across Different Pilates Equipment during the Double Leg Lowering Movement

Objective: The objective of this study was to analyze the differences in the activity of the abdominal and lower extremity muscles when performing double-leg lowering movements on a mat, reformer, and cadillac, and to provide basic data for designing a customized Pilates program. Design: Cross sectional study. Methods: This study included healthy adult men and women in their 20s and 30s. All participants performed warm-up exercises before performing the double-leg lowering movement. The double-leg lowering movement was performed on a Pilates mat, reformer, and cadillac, and the activities of the rectus abdominis, external oblique abdominis, rectus femoris, vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, biceps femoris, and semitendinosus muscles were measured starting at 90°of the hip joint and maintaining it at 45°. Results: There was a significant difference in the activity of the abdominal and lower extremity muscles according to the characteristics of the Pilates equipment. The rectus abdominis and external oblique abdominis muscles showed the greatest muscle activity on the mat, whereas the biceps femoris and semitendinosus showed the greatest muscle activity on the cadillac. The vastus medialis and vastus lateralis showed significant muscle activity on the reformer. Conclusions: There was a difference in muscle activity during the double-leg-lowering movement depending on the type of Pilates equipment used. The results of this study suggest that it is possible to select and apply the appropriate Pilates device according to the muscles to be strengthened during the double-leg lowering movement to be able to recommend a more efficient exercise program.