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Pilates instruction affects stability and muscle recruitment during the long stretch exercise
Alessandra Fayh1, Guilherme Auler Brodt2, Catiane Souza1
1Laboratório de Pesquisa do Exercício, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies
|June 5, 2018
Summary
Pilates Reformer exercises enhance lumbopelvic stability when instructors cue powerhouse muscle activation. This study found increased muscle activation and improved pelvic stability with specific instructions for voluntary recruitment during the long stretch exercise.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Exercise Physiology
- Rehabilitation Science
Background:
- The 'powerhouse' refers to deep core muscles crucial for spinal stability.
- Pilates exercises, particularly on the Reformer, are widely used for core strengthening and improving body control.
- Understanding muscle activation patterns and their effect on pelvic stability is key to optimizing exercise efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of instructing voluntary recruitment of powerhouse muscles on pelvic stability during the Pilates Reformer long stretch exercise.
- To compare muscle activation and pelvic stability between conditions with and without specific verbal cues for powerhouse engagement.
Main Methods:
- Electromyography (EMG) was used to measure the activity of external oblique (EO), multifidus (MU), gluteus maximus (GM), and adductor longus (AL) muscles.
- Pelvic angle stability was quantified using the coefficient of variation during the long stretch exercise on a Pilates Reformer.
- Twelve physically active volunteers performed the exercise twice: once without and once with instruction to voluntarily recruit powerhouse muscles.
Main Results:
- Muscle activation increased in the multifidus, gluteus maximus, and adductor longus when participants were instructed to recruit powerhouse muscles.
- External oblique muscle activation showed no significant change between the two conditions.
- Lumbopelvic stability, assessed by pelvic angle variation, was significantly higher when powerhouse muscle recruitment was instructed.
Conclusions:
- Instruction to voluntarily recruit powerhouse muscles during the Pilates Reformer long stretch exercise leads to enhanced lumbopelvic stability.
- Specific cues for core muscle engagement can modulate muscle activation patterns and improve the stability of the trunk during Pilates.
- These findings highlight the importance of mindful muscle activation in maximizing the benefits of Pilates-based core training.
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