Examining the postural awareness and flexibility changes in physical therapy students who took clinical Pilates class.

Esra Atılgan,Fatma Mutluay,Devrim Tarakcı

doi:10.12669/pjms.333.12808

Esra Atılgan, Fatma Mutluay + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.333.12808

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Abstract

Objective:This study aimed to evaluate postural awareness and changes in posture and flexibility of students who took Clinical Pilates class as an elective course at the undergraduate level.Methods:The study conducted from 2013-2016 included 98 students who took Clinical Pilates class at the Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, School of Health Sciences, Istanbul Medipol University, Turkey. The flexibility levels of the study participants were measured before and after the Clinical Pilates education using finger-to-floor test and modified Schober’s test. Observational posture analysis and postural awareness were recorded using the scale prepared by the researchers.Results:The post-education evaluations showed that postural distortions were fixed, and a significant increase in the postural awareness of the students was observed compared with the pre-education period. The results of both modified Schober’s test and finger-to-floor test, which were used to measure the flexibility levels, showed a statistically significant increase in post-education scores compared with those of the pre-education period.Conclusion:This study showed that the Clinical Pilates course increased postural awareness and flexibility of physical therapy students and fixed postural distortions. Thus, the inclusion of Clinical Pilates class in the undergraduate education is considered to be important.

Highlights

The Clinical Pilates method was developed by Joseph Pilates in the early 1900s and called “Contrology.” This method began to be used by dancers in the 1980s
Short-term Clinical Pilates education was found to have an effect on body composition.[7,8]
Flexibility Evaluation: The flexibility levels of the study participants were measured before and after the Clinical Pilates education using the modified Schober’s test and finger-to-floor test, which were included in the flexibility measurements

Summary

Introduction

The Clinical Pilates method was developed by Joseph Pilates in the early 1900s and called “Contrology.” This method began to be used by dancers in the 1980s. It attracted the attention of health care providers in the 2000s and began to be used in different disease groups for rehabilitation purposes apart from the healthy individuals.[1,2,3,4]. Proper use of Pilate’s principles ensures core stabilization. It improves static and dynamic balances through posture, flexibility, and postural awareness.[2,5,6]. Short-term Clinical Pilates education was found to have an effect on body composition.[7,8]

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Results

Conclusion