Efeitos da Intervenção Fisioterapêutica por Meio do Método Pilates Sobre a Distância Inter-Reto Abdominais em Gestantes: Resultados Parciais de um Ensaio Clínico Randomizado e Controlado

Abstract

During pregnancy, a woman's body undergoes several musculoskeletal changes, such as an increase in the inter-rectum distance (IRD). It is possible that the Pilates Method can modify the IRD, but studies are inconclusive. Thus, the objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of intervention through the Pilates Method on the IRD in pregnant women. A randomized and controlled study with a sample composed of 30 primiparous pregnant women, between the 18th and 21st gestational weeks, divided into two groups. The Pilates Group (PG) underwent an exercise protocol based on the Pilates Method, twice a week for 12 weeks, with sessions lasting 50 to 60 minutes. The Control Group (CG) participated in a global exercise protocol of the same duration and frequency, without specific activation exercises for the trunk region. Before and after 12 weeks of intervention, the participants were evaluated for IRD by ultrasound. The data were analyzed by the Two-way ANOVA test. No differences were observed between the groups for the supra- and infra-abdominal DIR measurements at rest. During trunk flexion, a group-time interaction [F (1,40) = 7.19; p = 0.011] was observed in the infra-umbilical measurement. The Tukey post-hoc test demonstrated a greater increase in DIR in the CG when compared to the PG. It was concluded that, despite the expected increase in DIR in both groups, the Pilates Method limited DIR in the infra-umbilical region, suggesting that the method is effective in containing abdominal diastasis.