Summary

Pilates exercise is popular in the general population [1] the clinical and fitness areas (Segal, 2004). The use of the Pilates at least at the end of training to improve dancers flexibility and trunk mobility was suggested [2]. Flexibility and joints mobility as well as core strengthening is the focal point of the Pilates exercises [3]. Hamstrimg muscle elasticity is important in many functional and athletic activities, because dancers must show high amplitude movements with lower extremities and trunk [3]. Aerobic Gymnastics athletes continuously perform complex movements following music patterns, which require high levels of fitness, strength, flexibility and range of motion in joins [4]. In spite of a growth in gymnastic modalities, we didn’t find research about Pilates effect to young age Aerobic Gymnastics athletes. The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in Aerobic Gymnastics athletes hamstrings muscles elasticity and trunk mobility after 7 and 14 weeks of Pilates exercises.

Keywords: Pilates; Aerobic gymnastics; Trunk mobility; Hamstrings muscles elasticity