Objective.

To compare the effect of the Pilates method with a traditional method on abdominal resistance strength and lower limb flexibility in young soccer players from Cali.

Materials and methods.

The research was conducted from the empirical-analytical approach with a quasi-experimental design. For this, pre-test, intervention, and post-test were carried out in two groups, experimental and control, with 40 youth category soccer players from two soccer schools in Cali (Colombia) who met the inclusion criteria.

Results:

Statistically significant differences were found with the Pilates method when assessing the flexibility of the athletes in the right ankle joint in dorsiflexion (p = 0.00), the right and left knee joint in flexion (p = 0.00), the right and left hip joint in extension and flexion (p = 0.00), the trunk joint in flexion and extension (p = 0.00; p = 0.02), right and left lateral flexion (p = 0.01), and abdominal strength (p = 0.00).

Discussion and Conclusions:

While the traditional method reflects an increase in the means of the variables studied, this increase is not statistically significant. On the contrary, the Pilates method to train young soccer players’ lower limb flexibility and muscular strength (abdominal) demonstrated a significant increase in means, with statistically significant differences.

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