The Influence of Surface Angle Inclination on Muscle Activity During Common Pilates Exercises

The purpose of this study was to compare trunk muscle activity during common Pilates exercises performed at different angles of support. Nineteen college aged students volunteered as participants and performed 2 exercises (modified teaser and high plank) on three different surface inclinations. Muscle activity of the abdominals and back extensors on the right side of the body were recorded using surface electrodes and were expressed as a percent of the individual muscles maximum contraction (MVIC) recorded during data collection. These values were compared using 1-way repeated measures ANOVAs. During the high plank, the altered surface inclination changed the abdominal activity. During the modified teaser differences were seen between all muscles when comparing activity on the incline surface to the decline surface. The results of this study suggest that trunk muscle activity can be altered by modifying the surface angle