Effect of different stabilization exercise trainings on balance, endurance and muscle strength

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of different stabilization exercise training on balance, endurance and muscle strength. The study included twenty four healthy women aged between 25-50 years who came to the Osteolife wellness center in Gaziantep. The individuals were divided in to two groups as Reformer pilates (n = 12) with a mean age of 31.2 ± 6.5 years and Antigravity Fitness (n = 12) with a mean age of 38.7 ± 7.8 years. Reformer Pilates and Antigravity Fitness Group were given exercise training for eight weeks (2 days / week). Eight weeks before and after exercise training, both groups were evaluated with the same methods. Individuals trunk muscle endurance assessed; plank test, sideplank test, unilateral bridge endurance test, trunk flexion test, and dynamic balances were evaluated with y-balance test and myotonometric properties of the abdominal and lumbar muscles were evaluated with MyotonPro. At the end of the eight-week training, strength and endurance and dynamic balance paramaters of the trunk muscles of both groups were increased compared to the pre-training levels (p <0.05). In the Reformer pilates Group, there was a decrease in the tone of lumbar muscles and an increase in lumbar relaxation times (p <0.05). Myotonometric properties of abdominal muscles were not different in both groups (p> 0.05). The stiffness value of the lumbar muscles from myotonometric properties increased in the Antigravity Fitness Group (p <0.05). As a result, it was found that reformer pilates training was more effective than antigravity fitness training to increase dynamic balance, strength and endurance of trunk muscles. In addition, it was concluded that antigravity fitness training could be used to increase the stiffness of the muscles in the lumbar region, which is one of the myotonometric properties. Key Words: Viscoelastic Properties of Muscles, Antigravity Fitness, Reformer pilates, Dynamic Balance.