1
|
Pereira MJ, André A, Monteiro M, Castro MA, Mendes R, Martins F, Gomes R, Vaz V, Dias G. Methodology and Experimental Protocol for Studying Learning and Motor Control in Neuromuscular Structures in Pilates. Healthcare (Basel) 2024; 12:229. [PMID: 38255116 PMCID: PMC10815589 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12020229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The benefits of Pilates have been extensively researched for their impact on muscular, psychological, and cardiac health, as well as body composition, among other aspects. This study aims to investigate the influence of the Pilates method on the learning process, motor control, and neuromuscular trunk stabilization, specifically in both experienced and inexperienced practitioners. This semi-randomized controlled trial compares the level of experience among 36 Pilates practitioners in terms of motor control and learning of two Pilates-based skills: standing plank and side crisscross. Data will be collected using various assessment methods, including abdominal wall muscle ultrasound (AWMUS), shear wave elastography (SWE), gaze behavior (GA) assessment, electroencephalography (EEG), and video motion. Significant intra- and inter-individual variations are expected, due to the diverse morphological and psychomotor profiles in the sample. The adoption of both linear and non-linear analyses will provide a comprehensive evaluation of how neuromuscular structures evolve over time and space, offering both quantitative and qualitative insights. Non-linear analysis is expected to reveal higher entropy in the expert group compared to non-experts, signifying greater complexity in their motor control. In terms of stability, experts are likely to exhibit higher Lyapunov exponent values, indicating enhanced stability and coordination, along with lower Hurst exponent values. In elastography, experienced practitioners are expected to display higher transversus abdominis (TrA) muscle elasticity, due to their proficiency. Concerning GA, non-experts are expected to demonstrate more saccades, focus on more Areas of Interest (AOIs), and shorter fixation times, as experts are presumed to have more efficient gaze control. In EEG, we anticipate higher theta wave values in the non-expert group compared to the expert group. These expectations draw from similar studies in elastography and correlated research in eye tracking and EEG. They are consistent with the principles of the Pilates Method and other scientific knowledge in related techniques.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mário José Pereira
- Faculty of Sports Sciences and Physical Education, University of Coimbra, 3000-214 Coimbra, Portugal;
| | - Alexandra André
- Coimbra Health School, Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra, 3046-854 Coimbra, Portugal; (A.A.); (M.M.)
| | - Mário Monteiro
- Coimbra Health School, Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra, 3046-854 Coimbra, Portugal; (A.A.); (M.M.)
| | - Maria António Castro
- Laboratory IIA, ROBOCORP, Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra, 3045-093 Coimbra, Portugal; (M.A.C.); (R.M.); (F.M.); (R.G.); (G.D.)
- School of Health Sciences, Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, 2411-901 Leiria, Portugal
- Centre of Mechanical Engineering, Materials and Processes (CEMMPRE), University of Coimbra, 3000-214 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Rui Mendes
- Laboratory IIA, ROBOCORP, Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra, 3045-093 Coimbra, Portugal; (M.A.C.); (R.M.); (F.M.); (R.G.); (G.D.)
- ESEC-UNICID-ASSERT, Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra, 3045-093 Coimbra, Portugal
- CIDAF (lida/dtp/04213/2020), University of Coimbra, 3000-214 Coimbra, Portugal
- Coimbra Education School, Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra, 3030-329 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Fernando Martins
- Laboratory IIA, ROBOCORP, Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra, 3045-093 Coimbra, Portugal; (M.A.C.); (R.M.); (F.M.); (R.G.); (G.D.)
- ESEC-UNICID-ASSERT, Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra, 3045-093 Coimbra, Portugal
- Coimbra Education School, Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra, 3030-329 Coimbra, Portugal
- Instituto de Telecomunicações (IT), Delegação da Covilhã, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal
- InED—Centre for Research and Innovation in Education, Porto Polytechnic Institute, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
| | - Ricardo Gomes
- Laboratory IIA, ROBOCORP, Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra, 3045-093 Coimbra, Portugal; (M.A.C.); (R.M.); (F.M.); (R.G.); (G.D.)
- ESEC-UNICID-ASSERT, Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra, 3045-093 Coimbra, Portugal
- CIDAF (lida/dtp/04213/2020), University of Coimbra, 3000-214 Coimbra, Portugal
- Coimbra Education School, Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra, 3030-329 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Vasco Vaz
- Faculty of Sports Sciences and Physical Education, University of Coimbra, 3000-214 Coimbra, Portugal;
- CIDAF (lida/dtp/04213/2020), University of Coimbra, 3000-214 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Gonçalo Dias
- Laboratory IIA, ROBOCORP, Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra, 3045-093 Coimbra, Portugal; (M.A.C.); (R.M.); (F.M.); (R.G.); (G.D.)
- ESEC-UNICID-ASSERT, Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra, 3045-093 Coimbra, Portugal
- CIDAF (lida/dtp/04213/2020), University of Coimbra, 3000-214 Coimbra, Portugal
- Coimbra Education School, Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra, 3030-329 Coimbra, Portugal
- Instituto de Telecomunicações (IT), Delegação da Covilhã, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|