Effectiveness of mat Pilates on postural alignment in the sagittal plane in school children: a randomized clinical trial

Abstract Aims: This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of the mat Pilates method, an exercise program, on postural alignment in the sagittal plane among children aged between 8 and 12 years. Method: This study used a blind randomized controlled clinical trial, with a Pilates group (PG) and control group (CG) at the Early Childhood Education Institute. A total of 40 children were randomized, who have no prior knowledge of the Pilates method and no exercise training in the last six months. Mat Pilates exercises were administered twice a week for four months in 50-minute sessions. Postural alignment in the sagittal plane was assessed using photogrammetry. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the groups post-intervention A significant difference was found in the following outcomes that represent an improvement in intragroup postural alignment: among the children in PG, in the right sagittal view in the vertical body alignment (p=0.019; effect size, ES = 0.70; standardize response mean, SRM = 0.57) and in the sagittal head angle (p=0.035; ES = 0.41; SRM = 0.51). Among the children in the CG, in the vertical alignment of the trunk in the left sagittal view (p= 0.016; ES = 0.50; SRM = 0.44). Conclusion: The effectiveness of Pilates on postural alignment in the sagittal plane among children aged between 8 and 12 years was not confirmed.

摘要 目的：本研究旨在探讨垫上普拉提（mat Pilates）这一运动方案对8至12岁儿童矢状面姿势对齐的改善效果。方法：本研究采用盲法随机对照临床试验，在幼儿教育机构设置普拉提组（PG）与对照组（CG）。最终纳入40名此前未接触过普拉提训练、且近6个月未进行过运动训练的儿童进行随机分组。普拉提组每周进行2次、每次50分钟的垫上普拉提训练，持续4个月。采用摄影测量法评估受试者矢状面姿势对齐情况。结果：干预后两组间未出现具有统计学意义的差异；但组内姿势对齐改善的相关指标存在显著差异：普拉提组儿童的右侧矢状位身体垂直对齐（p=0.019；效应量ES=0.70；标准化响应均值SRM=0.57）以及矢状位头部角度（p=0.035；ES=0.41；SRM=0.51）均出现显著改善。对照组儿童的左侧矢状位躯干垂直对齐指标存在显著改善（p=0.016；ES=0.50；SRM=0.44）。结论：本研究未证实垫上普拉提对8至12岁儿童矢状面姿势对齐具有改善效果。