Pilates: what is it? Should it be used in rehabilitation?

Christine E Di Lorenzo, Christine E Di Lorenzo

Abstract

Context: The interest and popularity of Pilates is increasing worldwide. In addition to being used in fitness programs, it is being used in some rehabilitation programs.

Evidence acquisition: This review summarizes level III evidence from 1995 to 2009 obtained from PubMed (MEDLINE), CINAHL, and the Internet. Meta-analyses, systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials, and controlled trials published in peer-reviewed journals were retrieved for appraisal. The keywords searched were Pilates and core stabilization.

Results: Ninety articles were identified in MEDLINE and CINAHL; 9 articles satisfied the inclusion criteria for level III evidence.

Conclusion: There is a scientific basis for the effectiveness of Pilates exercise, with limited evidence to support it as a rehabilitative intervention.

Keywords: Pilates; core strengthening; rehabilitation.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
The reformer (image courtesy of True Pilates, New York, New York).
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
The trapeze table, or Cadillac (image courtesy of Gratz Industries, Long Island City, New York).
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Pilates and total core strengthening. Image courtesy of Peter Galbraith www.dreamstime.com.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Timeline of key publications for core strengthening.
Figure 5.
Figure 5.
The participant is in the starting position of the push-up front, an advanced Pilates exercise for balance control and strengthening of the upper body, while challenging the total core for stabilization. She will engage her shoulder flexors concentrically along with the synergistic eccentric action of the shoulder extensors to push the spring-loaded carriage forward. When the carriage is returned to the starting position, the shoulder flexors eccentrically act in tandem with the synergistic concentric muscle contractions of the shoulder extensors to control the spring recoil of the carriage return. From the initiation of the exercise to its completion, the trunk, pelvis, hips, and shoulder girdles (total core strengthening) and limb musculature isometrically contract to stabilize her body in this plank pose. Three to 5 repetitions are preformed with 1 leg elevated. This is then repeated with the contralateral leg.
Figure 6.
Figure 6.
The pedi-pull (image courtesy of Gratz Industries, Long Island City, New York).
Figure 7.
Figure 7.
The wunda chair (image courtesy of True Pilates, New York, New York).
Figure 8.
Figure 8.
The electric or high chair (image courtesy of Gratz Industries, Long Island City, New York).
Figure 9.
Figure 9.
The magic circle (from iStockphoto).
Figure 10.
Figure 10.
The ladder barrel (image courtesy of True Pilates, New York, New York).
Figure 11.
Figure 11.
The small barrel (image courtesy of Gratz Industries, Long Island City, New York).
Figure 12.
Figure 12.
The baby chair (image courtesy of Gratz Industries, Long Island City, New York).
Figure 13.
Figure 13.
The mat (from iStockphoto).
Figure 14.
Figure 14.
The spine corrector (image courtesy of Gratz Industries, Long Island City, New York).
Figure 15.
Figure 15.
The toe corrector (image courtesy of Gratz Industries, Long Island City, New York).
Figure 16.
Figure 16.
The breath-a-cizer (image courtesy of Gratz Industries, Long Island City, New York).

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Source: PubMed

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