The Effects of Pilates Training on Functional Movement Screen and Muscle Endurance for Cheerleaders

Abstract

Pilates provides a way to train core muscles. However, most researches in Pilates focus on how Pilates releases back pain. Functional movement screen (FMS) is a simple tool to assess a player’s movement dysfunction. Nevertheless, there is no related research to investigate the efficacy on movement change and trunk muscular endurance after Pilates training of cheerleading dancers. PURPOSE: To investigate cheerleading dancers’ capability of movements and muscular endurances after eight-week Pilates training. METHODS: Thirty cheerleading dancers were divided randomly into two groups, training (TRN: n= 15) and control (CTL: n= 15). TRN group had a regular practicing program which includes Pilates training with a licensed Pilates instructor. This training course was held three times a week, 50 minutes each course, for a total of 8 weeks. On the contrary, CTL group only maintained regular practicing. Functional movement screen (FMS) was adopted to assess capability of movements and body asymmetry, which includes seven fundamental movements (deep squat, hurdle step (HS), active straight leg raise, in-line lunge (ILL), active straight leg raise, trunk stability push up (TSPU), and rotary stability (RS). The test trunk extension, plank, and side plank were adopted to measure isometric endurance of abdominal and trunk muscles. RESULTS: After 8-weeks training, TRN group had significant improvements in FMS, indicating in HS (pre-test: 2.00 ± 0.53 vs post-test: 2.73 ± 0.46, p < .001), TSPU (pre-test: 1.73 ± 0.46 vs post-test: 2.2 ± 0.41, p = .004), RS (pre-test: 2 vs post-test: 2.67 ± 0.49, p < .001), totally FMS scores (pre-test: 16.40 ± 1.24 vs post-test: 19.00 ± 1.13, p < .001). Furthermore, the asymmetrical ratio on HS and ILL were improved by 67% and 100%, respectively. However, CTL group obtained few improvements. Regarding trunk endurance, TRN group had significantly increased isometric contraction time on trunk extension (p= .025), plank (p= .001), and side plank (p= .007) compared to CTL group. CONCLUSION: Eight- week Pilates training can significantly enhance FMS scores (movement function) and improve body asymmetrical problem. Moreover, Pilates is also helpful for increasing isometric endurance of abdominal and trunk muscles.