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. 2025 Jul 18;17(1):206.
doi: 10.1186/s13102-025-01258-4.

The effect of pilates training on knee functional tests in youth female volleyball player

Sanaz Rahimi  1 , Ali Asghar Norasteh  2 , Mohamad Mottaghitalab  3
Affiliations

The effect of pilates training on knee functional tests in youth female volleyball player

Sanaz Rahimi et al. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil. .

Abstract

Introduction: Knee ligament injuries, particularly anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears, are prevalent among athletes, especially females aged 15 to 25. This study aimed to assess the effects of an 8-week Pilates training program on knee functional tests in youth female volleyball players, focusing on improving neuromuscular control and reducing injury risk.

Methods: Thirty female volleyball players were randomly assigned to either a Pilates training group (n = 15) or a control group (n = 15). The Pilates group underwent three 50-minute sessions per week, focusing on core strength and stability. Functional assessments included the Landing Error Scoring System (LESS) and the tuck-jump test, conducted pre- and post-intervention.

Results: The Pilates training significantly reduced errors in the LESS (p = 0.001), overall tuck-jump assessment (p = 0.02), ligament dominance (p = 0.02), foot dominance (p = 0.03), and trunk dominance (p = 0.001). However, there was no significant interaction between groups and time for quadriceps dominance of tuck jump assessment (p > 0.05).

Conclusions: The findings suggest that an 8-week Pilates training program effectively enhances knee functional performance and movement patterns in female athletes. Overall, the results support the incorporation of Pilates as a valuable component of athletic training programs aimed at improving knee function and preventing injuries in female athletes.

Keywords: Athletes; Knee function; Neuromuscular control; Pilates.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: The study was approved by the University of Guilan (Iran) IR.SSRI.REC.1400.1040. All experiments were conducted in accordance with the relevant guidelines and regulations. Before the initiation of the study, the participants were informed about the research procedures, and informed consent was obtained from the participants themselves, as well as their parents or legal guardians. The consent obtained from all participants was informed. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Performing the tuck jump test
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Performing the landing error scoring system test
Flowchart
Flowchart
Flowchart of eligibility, inclusion and exclusion criteria, and analysis in youth female volleyball players (age = 15.96 ± 1.40)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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