Re: Core Stability, Pilates, Weight Training, ...

[Guest guest]

I am surprised to see how long this Pilates discussion has gone on. There are 2

" issues " , for lack of a better word, at work when discussing core stability and

the attainment of such. While strengthening the muscles involved in maintaining

core stability does one innately develop the ability to selectively activate the

muscle groups necessary to maintain stability or is it just the strength?

Pilates is somewhat about learning to selectively activate (use) muscles. Is it

possible there is more than one way to achieve the same outcome (some take the

high road others the low road)?

There is a specific amount of strength necessary to accomplish or maintain core

stability, static or dynamic, but if someone has not learned to recruit the

particular muscles needed for this they may have difficulty. An analogy: can

any of you remember trying to show, tell someone how to feel the " Lats " work

when doing a pulldown, especially a neophyte. The response may have been

something like; no, I feel it in my arms. Some individuals develop this ability

naturally and quickly, others need time and assistance such as Pilates. Pilates

is not much for developing strength, in my opinion and according to my research.

However, can it assist in the development of the ability to selectively activate

muscles or groups to achieve or maintain core stability? Good question!

Furthermore and along the same lines, is abdominal strength training necessary

for pelvic stability (low back health) or is it more about selective activation

of the stabilizers. My current project is underway which addresses this

question. I apologize for the aside; However, they are related.

Possibly, when one has an athlete, who lacks the ability to initiate or maintain

core stability then Pilates may be the answer. Or, maybe the general populace

may benefit from Pilates, if the result is the ability to selectively activate

(recruit), when the additional strength is not required.

However, as I said in an earlier comment about the Reformer (the apparatus used

in Pilates) does exercise done in a prone, supine, semi-prone, or semi-supine

and the strength developed in those positions translate to the upright

posture???? Maybe an idea for research.

Myself, I do not use Pilates, mat exercises or reformer, but I am able to

selectively activate (recruit) the muscles or muscle groups needed.

I have intentionally used the terminology " selectively activate " to prevent a

reaction from the " motor control " folks.

As always, I apologize if I did not read far enough into this list of messages

to determine if someone has said what I just said.

Dave

,

Research Coordinator

University of North Texas Health Science Center

Fort Worth, Texas