Document Type : Original Articles

Authors

• Farideh Salehi ¹
• Hamid Marefati ²
• Hossein Mehrabian ³
• Hamid Sharifi ⁴

¹ MSc, Department of Exercise Physiology, School of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran

² Assistant Professor, Department of Sport Physiology, School of Physical Education, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran

³ MSc, Department of Corrective Movements and Sport Medicine, School of Physical Education, Tarbiat Moalem University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

⁴ Epidemiologist, Department of Food Hygiene and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran

Abstract

Introduction: One of the most common medical complaints of women is the primary dysmenorrhea or painful menstruation without pathologic pelvic diseases. This study aimed at investigating the effects of Pilate's exercises on the primary dysmenorrhea.Materials and Methods: Of 1500 female students, 40 non-athlete subjects with the age range of 18 to 25 years who suffered from the primary dysmenorrhea were selected as the sample of this experimental study. These subjects were divided into two groups, namely, the experimental (N = 20) and the control (N = 20) groups. The primary dysmenorrhea questionnaire was administered to satisfy the purpose of the study. The Pilates exercises were carried out under the supervision of a pilates instructor for eight weeks. For the statistical analysis of the obtained data, numerous tests including Sahpiro-Wilk test, the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) with repeated measurements, and correlated t test were used at the significant level of P ≤ 0.05.Results: The results of this study showed significant improvement in post-treatment pain (P < 0.001) and pain duration (P < 0.001) in the Pilates group. However, no significant difference was found in the degree of bleeding (P = 0.18). Moreover, no significant change regarding these two factors was observed in the control group. On the other hand, a significant difference in pain (P < 0.001) and pain duration (P < 0.001) was found as two groups were compared after the termination of the treatment period. But there was no significant difference in the degree of bleeding (P = 1.00) between two groups.Conclusion: With regard to the specific type of Pilate's exercises, these exercises are likely to be effective in reducing the severity and duration of pain in the primary dysmenorrhea.Keywords: Primary dysmenorrheal, Pilate's exercises, Female students