Dolor lumbar en tenistas amateur tratados con el método Pilates

Abstract

Objective. To assess if an exercise intervention based on Pilates method could influence positively back pain management in amateur tennis players. Method. Pilates-based exercises programme: mat exercises in groups, two 60 minutes sessions per week, over 5 weeks, between August and September 2013. Participants: 10 male amateur tennis players with back pain, between the ages of 18 and 29 (mean 22,9; SD 3,21). Pre and post intervention assessment: pain evaluation by visual analogue scale and the degree of disability by the Oswestry index (Spanish version) for disability related to back pain. Data were analysed using SPSS, v20. Results. A significant reduction up to two points on back pain and a significant improvement (11,5%) on Oswestry index after five weeks intervention. Conclusions. A Pilates-based exercise intervention seems to improve the degree of back pain and the degree of disability related to back pain in amateur tennis players. More research on the area to confirm results is needed.