Pilates Method

Pilates Method for Lung Function and Functional Capacity in Obese Adults
Joseph E. Mendoza
Grand Canyon University
BIO 201 Lab
November 20, 2016

Pilates Method for Lung Function and Functional Capacity in Obese Adults
Introduction
Obesity is an extremely commonly condition in modern society. Obesity is defined as having a body mass index that is above 30 kg/m2. Obesity can affect the quality of life of an individual. It is estimated that about 2.8 million people die every year from causes directly or indirectly related to the harmful affects of obesity on the human body. One major effect of obesity on the body is weakness and stiffness of the abdominal and diaphragmatic muscles. This weakness and stiffness of the abdominal and diaphragmatic
The abdominal diaphragmatic muscles are responsible for the expansion of the chest cavity and breath control. Pilates is a low impact work out method that works through the abdominal and diaphragmatic muscles. (Niehues, Gonzáles, Lemos, & Haas, 2015). The Alternative Therapies in Health & Medicine published a scientific journal article that utilized the scientific method to conduct research observing the impact of the Pilates method on lung function and functional capacity in obese adults. The Pilates method was tested on elevn participants, all with body mass indexes above thrity. The experiment was to test how the Pilates method impacted the lung capacity and muscle functionality of obese individuals. The eleven participants were subjected to Pilates training method for sixty minutes, three days per week, for one month with a trained Pilates instructor. The researchers focused on exercising the rectus abdominis, internal and external oblique, transverse abdominis, and the lumbar paraspinal region. These muscles were focused on because they are responsible for stabilizing the body and supporting the diaphragm. The researchers tested the question of how does the Pilates method affect lung
The showed that the lung function of obese individuals did rise after the Pilates method, showing positive signs in respiration through various tests. The experiment also supported that the Pilates method increase lung capacity (Niehues et al., 2015). The results not only supported that the Pilates method in increasing the lung function and capacity of obese individuals, but showed that the group of individuals with normal body mass index also showed signs of increased lung function and capacity. In conclusion, the results of the research experiment supported the hypothesis that the Pilates method can positively impact the lung capacity and function of obese