Deutschmann,

D., Parfant, M., Holzer, H.-P., Svehlik, M., Ivanic, G., Ebner, M., Weiglein, A. (2014) Child-oriented Pilates as
intervention to stabilize posture and to correct postural defects on pupils at the age of 10 to 12 years. In: Doctoral Day 2014
- Abstract Book. 2014. p. 51

Child-oriented Pilates as intervention to stabilize posture and to correct postural defects on pupils
at the age of 10 to 12 years
1

Dietlind, Deutschmann , Manuel, Parfant , Hans-Peter, Holzer , Gerd, Ivanic , Martin, Svehlik , Martin, Ebner ,
7
Andreas, Weiglein

1,7

2,6

Department of Anatomy, Medical University Graz, Austria; Institute for Information Systems and
1,3
Computer Media, Graz University of Technology, Austria; Institute of Sports Science, KF University Graz,
4
5
Austria; Department of Orthopedics, Privatklinik Graz Ragnitz, Austria; Department of Pediatric Surgery,
Medical University Graz, Austria

Doktoratsstudium der Medizinischen Wissenschaft (Dr. Scient. Med.), Doctoral School: Sustainable Health
Research, 6th semester:
Number of words: 250 (Background/Aims: 40; Methods: 73; Results: 80, Conclusion: 57)


Background/Aims:
Back pain due to postural defects is one of the most frequent chronic symptoms in our population. The number
of schoolchildren with postural defects is increasing. The aim is to show effects of a regular short Pilates-
program to stabilize posture.

Methods:
For this study 128pupils (46males,82females) aged 10,770,30 were recruited. Beside a questionnaire on
physical activity (based on MoMo), posture(spine-analysis-program,Zebris-CMS-System) and muscle function
(Janda) were measured. Subjects were divided into intervention-(IG)(n=77) and control-groups (CG)(n=51). The
intervention took place in school sports lessons and at home during fourteen months(at least three times a
week). With an iPhone-application(MotionTracker), it was possible to record the workouts duration,
repetition and precision. In the end all tests were repeated.

Results:
Subjects who fulfill recommendations(IG3)(26,8%) did not change in muscle-stretching but increased their
muscle-strength(p=0,014). Subjects who practiced less than three times a week had a decreasing in muscle-
stretching(p=0,042) and no change in muscle-strength. In CG muscle-stretching decreased(p=0,001) and
muscle-strength increased(p=0,021). There was no difference in IG3 and CG in mean. The single tests showed
some significant resultse.g. subjects in IG3 became firmer in back muscles than kids in CG(p=0,017). Posture of
IG3 was better at the end of the study.

Conclusion:
Concerning the participation in the Pilates-program, the childrens motivation was simply insufficient. The
iPhone-app was implemented to motivate but there were only seventeen advices available(22,1%). It would be
useful to adapt the app to android-systems as a larger number of subjects could be reached. The next essential
step is to improve the rate of participation through gamification.