Análise da Ativação Muscular dos Membros Inferiores nas Variações do Exercício de Footwork do Pilates

Lara Lívia Lacerda Lyra; Ana Isabela Milagres Lourenço; Yasmin Alexandre da Silva; Ingrid Quartarolo Vargas; Marcelo Benevides; Fabiano Moura Dias; Fernanda Moura Vargas Dias

doi:10.36489/saudecoletiva.2025v15i94p14939-14954

Authors

Lara Lívia Lacerda Lyra Fisioterapeuta. Graduada pela Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo (UFES). Pós graduanda em Traumato Ortopedia. https://orcid.org/0009-0006-9534-5221
Ana Isabela Milagres Lourenço https://orcid.org/0009-0004-9761-8807
Yasmin Alexandre da Silva Graduanda em Fisioterapia pela Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo. https://orcid.org/0009-0009-7326-6647
Ingrid Quartarolo Vargas Fisioterapeuta; Mestre em ciência do Desporto; especialista em terapia oriental; Diretora da Escola Pilates Contemporâneo Ministrante da Formação de Pilates Brasil; Europa há mais de 20 anos. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9576-0229
Marcelo Benevides Graduado em Fisioterapia pela UVV. Mestrado e Doutorado em Ciências Fisiológicas pela Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo (UFES). Supervisor do estágio de Neurologia do curso de Fisioterapia da Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo. https://orcid.org/0009-0007-6411-0267
Fabiano Moura Dias Prof. da Universidade Vila Velha - UVV. Especialista em Fisioterapia Traumato-ortopedia (UCB). Mestre em Ciências da Reabilitação (UNISUAN) e doutorando em Ciências Fisiológicas (UFES). https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9163-0037
Fernanda Moura Vargas Dias Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4268-4909

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36489/saudecoletiva.2025v15i94p14939-14954

Keywords:

Exercise and movement techniques, Electromyography, Physiotherapy services, Lower extremity

Abstract

The Pilates method can be performed on the mat or with spring-equipped machines, such as the Reformer. Footwork exercises performed on the Reformer can have three variations of foot contact with the machine's bar: the toes, the mid-foot, and the heel. The aim of the study was to analyze the differences in lower limb muscle activation in different foot positions during the Footwork exercise of the Pilates method on the Reformer. Twenty-five healthy university students who did not practice Pilates were evaluated through anamnesis, physical examination, and electrical muscle activity of the right lower limb (Electromyograph, 8 channels). During the electromyography, the Footwork exercise was performed on the Reformer with foot variations on the toes, mid-foot, and heels on the bar. The electrical activation of the vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, rectus femoris, and biceps femoris muscles was similar, regardless of the foot position. However, the anterior tibial muscle showed greater activation when the heel was in contact with the bar. The long fibular, gastrocnemius, and soleus muscles were more activated when the toes were in contact with the Reformer (on tiptoe). The study contributed to a better understanding of muscle activation during Pilates exercises and may assist in more individualized therapeutic prescription of Pilates exercises for rehabilitation and performance.

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