2023, Vol. 10, Issue 5, Part D

Background and Purpose: Anterior cruciate ligament ruptures accounts for more than 50% of knee injuries which significantly impact an individual’s functional abilities and quality of life. The major goals of rehabilitation for post-operative anterior cruciate ligament injuries are to retain strength, stability and dynamic control as well as to avoid reinjuring the ligament and surrounding tissue. Therefore, it has lately become crucial to include core stability exercises in the rehabilitation due to deficient trunk stability and compensation to other structures. The purpose of this study was to explore effect of Pilates on balance, postural control and quality of life.

Methodology: Study was conducted on 20 subjects both male and female with age group 20-40 years. 8 different Pilates exercises were performed five days a week for four months. Progression was made after every third week with change in frequency and mode of exercise. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using BESS (Balanced Error Scoring System), KOOS (Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score) and SEBT (Star Excursion Balance Test).

Results: Results showed that with each week of exercise progression, reaching distance in star excursion balance test was increased significantly (p<0.05), knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score scale scores (p<0.0001) and decrease in errors mainly in single leg stance and tandem stance position (p<0.0001).

Conclusion: Integration of Pilates is advantageous, offering a secure and efficient way to regain knee function. It helps in core strengthening, balance, proprioception and controlled movements that restores stability, improves joint alignment and enhancing overall body awareness and control. Furthermore, more research is required on a large sample size.