Mel
That is an interesting observation. I wonder if it has something to do with
either 'overtraining' the core stabilisers or the counterproductive
side-effects of training a muscle which is NOT dysfunctional.
I know most of the Brisbane research is done on subjects who have back pain
and an observable dysfunction (in terms of timing etc) of TvA and
Multifidus. The exercise regime is aimed at correcting this dysfunction and
reducing LBP recurrence rates - and it seems to work.
It is not a logical extrapolation that 'training' non-dysfunctional core
stabilisers is necessarily a good idea. I don't know of any research that
suggests this prevents onset of LBP in a non-LBP population or that it
improves sporting efforts (though the research my be out there.)
I was with a bunch of physios in London some years ago who were on a course
with Paul Hodges at all and we were linked up to real-time U/S machines and
we were not very good either.
The biggest mistake we made was putting too much effort into the abdominal
'hollow'. As soon as more than a quite moderate effort was made the external
obliques started to activate as well. So I can believe that Pilates may not
demonstrate optimal TvA contraction using the standards that the TvA
researchers measure by.
John Spencer
----- Original Message -----
From: <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, December 11, 2002 1:51 PM
Subject: Pilates Core Training Myths?
> While presenting at the recent World Class Coaching Conference organised
by
> the UK Sports Institute (UKSI) and the British Olympic Association (BOA)
in
> Birmingham (Nov 25-27, 2002), I attended a lecture and workshop given on
> Optimising Trunk Muscle Activation and core stability by Steve Saunders
who
> works with Richardson and colleagues in Australia doing some of the
original
> work on TvA (transversus abdominis) and other trunk muscle involvement.
>
> In this session he made the interesting observation that he and these
Aussiue
> scientists had examined several Pilates teachers and enthusiasts and had
> noted (via the use of diagnostic ultrasound and practical exercises, for
> example) that their ability to stabilise the core and activate TvA
> competently often was amongst the worst of all the subjects whom they had
> tested. Many of us found this to be most intriguing, because one would
have
> imagined that the wide range of fairly full range exercises used in
Pilates
> classes would at least have made them better than other moderately active
> individuals. Saunders suggested that the methods of pelvic alignment and
> postural management may not be optimal in traditional Pilates classes.
Many
> of us know, of course, that classical Pilates recommendations for trunk
and
> pelvic stabilisation are seriously incorrect for lifting heavy weights or
> raising them above the head, so that this may indeed be a valid point.
>
> Has anyone else come across this sort of finding among Pilates
practitioners?
> It is the first that I have come across scientifically which has examined
> the claims of Pilates folk about core stability.
>
> Dr Mel C Siff
> Denver, USA
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Supertraining/
>
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