The influence of Pilates training on the ability to contract the Transversus Abdominis muscle in asymptomatic individuals

The percentage of subjects passing the TrA isolation test was 10 subjects (83%) from the Pilates group, four subjects (33%) from the abdominal curl group, and three subjects (25%) from the control group. The percentage of subjects passing the lumbo-pelvic stability test was five subjects (42%) from the Pilates group, all the subjects from both the abdominal curl and control groups failed the test. The study appears to indicate that Pilates trained subjects could contract the TrA and maintain better lumbo-pelvic control than do those who perform regular abdominal curl exercises, or no abdominal muscle exercises.