Jan Schroeder

Pilates Can Affect Sagittal Spinal Alignment: An Observational Study

Purpose: “Pilates” is known to be a gentle technique of strength training with an emphasis on the deep trunk muscle layers. Positive influences on spinal form parameters are assumed. Methods: Spinal form parameters of 24 female volunteers (10 Pilates / 14 controls) were measured before and after a definite Pilates program (12 units, 60 minutes each, once a week) by means of video raster stereography (Formetric®-system), and analyzed using 2-way ANOVA. Results: We found significant (p<0.05) spine shape changes in the form of spinal erection (decreasing thoracic angle, increasing spinal length) after Pilates-based training exercises. Conclusions: We consider the controlled spinal shape adaptations – apparent in an erection of spinal alignment in the sagittal plane – to be valid and specifically exercise-induced, supporting a basic idea of the Pilates training concept.

Effects of high-heeled footwear on static and dynamic pelvis position and lumbar lordosis in experienced younger and middle-aged women

There is still conflicting evidence about the effect of high-heeled footwear on posture, especially if methodological confounders are taken into account. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of high-heeled footwear on lumbopelvic parameters in experienced younger and middle-aged women while standing and walking. Thirty-seven experienced younger (n=19:18-25 years) and middle-aged (n=18:26-56 years) women were included in this randomized crossover study. Using a non-invasive back shape reconstruction device (rasterstereography), static (pelvic tilt and lumbar lordosis angle) and dynamic (pelvic rotation, median lumbar lordosis angle and range of motion) parameters representing pelvis position and lumbar curvature were measured. In order to analyse standing and walking on a treadmill (0.83m/s), the effects of high-heels (7-11cm) were compared to standard control shoes. There were no effects on the lumbar lordosis angle or range of motion under static or dynamic conditions (p>0.05, d≤0.06). But there was a small effect for a reduced pelvic tilt (p=0.003, d=0.24) and a moderate effect for an increased transversal pelvic rotation (p=0.001, d=0.63) due to high heel shoed standing or walking, respectively. There were no significant age-group or interaction effects (p>0.05). Altered pelvic parameters may be interpreted as compensatory adaptations to high-heeled footwear rather than lumbar lordosis adaptations in experienced wearers. The impact of these findings on back complaints should be revisited carefully, because muscular overuse as well as postural load relieving may contribute to chronic consequences. Further research is necessary to examine clinically relevant outcomes corresponding to postural alterations.