Gelisim News

Pilates is one of the most important exercises that increase physical strength, flexibility, and coordination, reduce stress, improve well-being and mental focus. For Pilates, which has been popular recently, there are many national and international trainers' certificate programs. Stating that Pilates is physical and mental education, Istanbul Gelisim University Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Department Lecturer Gülşah Konakoğlu stated that the wrong practices could cause musculoskeletal injuries.
 
MUST BE SUITABLE FOR A PERSON

Emphasizing the need to determine the appropriate program for pilates, Lect. Konakoğlu said: “Pilates is not an exercise, that a standard program is organized and everyone can be applied to the same program. For group exercises, it is extremely important to group people who are at the same level together and create groups. Pilates, however, is not training where every session can be memorized, and a repetitive program can be applied. Therefore, people who want to start pilates should be evaluated by physiotherapists and should be started at the appropriate level. We also strongly recommend that people choose pilates instructors from physiotherapists if possible because not everyone can be a pilates instructor and not everyone can do Pilates.”
 
ATTENTION TO DISABILITY

Noting that the person to begin pilates, weight transport symmetry should be evaluated first, Lect. Konakoğlu said: “The neutral position varies from person to person, but it is important that the person maintains his neutral position during movement. This is extremely important for the stabilization of the spine. If the person has difficulty in maintaining a neutral position during the exercise, the exercise is not suitable for that person. It forces the person and causes disability. For this reason, the instructor must be very careful during pilates training.”
 
“YOU CAN HURT YOUR SPINE”

Attracting attention to the point that another important factor for the pilates exercises is the spine muscles, Konakoğlu continued her speech as follows:

“In particular, the stabilizing functions of the abdominal and back muscles should be evaluated by the physiotherapist. If the stabilizing functions of these muscles in the deep and middle layer of the spine are insufficient and the neutral position cannot be maintained during the Pilates exercise, the abdominal and back muscles of the outer layer will work more. Because the stabilization of the spine is insufficient, the person will tend to use the already strong muscle groups to perform the movement. During this exercise, the spine will become vulnerable to injury and cause injury.”

“We, as physiotherapists, educate isolated the deep and middle-layer muscles of the spine, before starting pilates training in those who have identified such dysfunctions. In order to make the pilates exercises correct, we enable the individual to perceive the selective muscle and neutral spine position so that it does not give rise to instability in the spine (disruption of joint stability). And then we recommend that they begin general pilates exercises and gradually go deeper in Pilates training.”