PNF and Movement 2024; 22(3): 425-433
https://doi.org/10.21598/JKPNFA.2024.22.3.425
The Immediate Effects of Diamond Press Movements through Pilates Breathing on Upper Limb and Abdominal Muscle Activation
Kang-Hoon Kim, P.T., Ph.D.1⋅Ju-Hyeon Jung, P.T., Ph.D.2†⋅Il-Hun Baek, P.T., Ph.D.1
1Department of Physical Therapy, Dong-Eui Institute of Technology
2Department of Physical Therapy, College of Nursing Healthcare Sciences and Human Ecology, Dong-Eui University
Correspondence to: †Ju-Hyeon Jung (hyuni610@naver.com)
Received: November 8, 2024; Revised: November 22, 2024; Accepted: November 22, 2024; Published online: December 31, 2024.
© Korea Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Association. All rights reserved.

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Abstract
Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the immediate effects of Pilates breathing during Diamond Press exercise on muscle activation in the core and shoulder muscles of college students with sedentary lifestyles. Given the potential for posture-related health issues due to prolonged sitting, understanding the benefits of Pilates breathing is essential for addressing functional posture disorders.
Methods: Twenty healthy adults aged 20–30 participated in this study. Surface electromyography (sEMG) was used to measure the activation of the upper trapezius, lower trapezius, serratus anterior, external oblique, and internal oblique-transverse abdominal muscles during the Diamond Press exercise under two conditions: regular breathing and Pilates breathing. Participants underwent 2-week Pilates breathing training, with muscle activation measured before and after the training.
Results: The study revealed significant differences in muscle activation between the two breathing conditions (p < .01). Pilates breathing led to a noteworthy decrease in upper trapezius activation and an increase in the activation of the lower trapezius, serratus anterior, external oblique, and internal oblique–transverse abdominis compared to regular breathing.
Conclusion: Pilates breathing enhances core and shoulder muscle activation, potentially reducing muscle imbalances and improving posture stability in young adults with sedentary habits. Thus, Pilates breathing could be a beneficial intervention for mitigating health issues related to prolonged sitting. Further research is needed to explore its long-term effects across diverse populations.
Keywords: Pilates Breathing, Muscle Activation, Sedentary Lifestyle

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