Vol. 4, Issue 4, Part F (2018)

Abstract
Background and Objectives: Bharatnatyam dance form involves aesthetic yet challenging movements. Their training requires strength, stamina, flexibility, grace, passion, and emotion. It has been found that there is prevalence of 34.7% of back injuries in bharatnatyam dancers. Bharatanatyam dancers utilize two movements: a half-sitting pose and a full-sitting pose, both requiring external rotation of the legs and bending at the knee joints, anterior tilting of pelvis, increase in lumbar lordosis and stress in placed on the back muscles to maintain the position. It has been concluded in a previous study that probably when iliacus and psoas major are shortened during repeated hip flexion movements as in half sitting position, it causes anterior pelvic tilt and increased lumbar lordosis which in turn causes imbalances in trunk flexors and extensors and could be the probable cause for low back pain.Core stability, strength and flexibility are emphasised in pilates exercises, as in control of movement, posture and breathing. All these aspects of pilates exercise may benefit people with low back pain as exercise with similar features have been successful in reducing pain and improving functional ability. Thus this study is determined to study the effects of pilates exercises for low back pain in female bharatnatyam dancers undergoing training.