Efeitos da técnica de respiração do Método Pilates sobre a excitação muscular durante o exercício resistido: um ensaio clínico randomizado

Abstract

Introduction: The Pilates Method has been increasingly recognized as an effective strategy in clinical rehabilitation, supported by studies that show its benefits. Although the breathing technique of the Pilates Method is recognized as one of the basic principles of the Pilates method, its advantages when combined with other forms of exercise have not yet been fully investigated. Objective: To compare the effects of habitual breathing and the breathing technique of the Pilates method during a resistance exercise on the muscle excitation of the biceps brachii muscle. Methodology: 58 volunteers (18 males: 23.2 [2.62] years, 1.76 [0.09] meters, 81.0 [10.2] kg; 40 females: 22.6 [2.64] years; 1.63 [0.05] meters; 63.3 [10.3] kg) were randomized to start one of two protocols: exercise associated with habitual breathing or Pilates method breathing. Each participant performed elbow flexion and extension exercises with 60% of the maximal voluntary isometric contraction, in three repetitions, associated with two breathing patterns: breathing by the Pilates method and habitual breathing. To ensure cross-evaluation of the variables, the protocol was repeated, so that each participant performed the exercise with both breathing techniques. During the execution, the electrical activity of the motor units was monitored by surface electromyography, enabling the subsequent analysis and interpretation of the data. Results: Significant differences were observed in the muscle activation of the right brachial biceps (p<0.001) and left brachial biceps (p<0.001) muscles when comparing the two types of breathing, and the Pilates method breathing technique resulted in lower muscle excitation compared to habitual breathing, with moderate effect size. In addition, the activation of the left biceps brachii was significantly higher than the activation of the right biceps braquail during the Pilates breathing technique (p<0.001) as well as during habitual breathing (p<0.001). Conclusion: The breathing technique of the Pilates method is able to influence muscle excitement during resistance exercises. This technique had a significant muscular impact, promoting greater neuromuscular efficiency in the face of an exercise with the load at 60% of the VIC. In addition, the right brachial biceps showed lower muscle excitement compared to the left brachial biceps, regardless of breathing, indicating that the dominant limb may be more efficient to perform the task.