Powerhouse muscle activation during pilates leg-circle exercises performed on mat and devices

Abstract

Objective: The goal of the present study is to test the capacity of leg-circle exercises to activate core muscles. Method: The sample comprises eleven female Pilates instructors with at least six months experience. The electromyography (EMG) of the rectus abdominis, internal oblique, external oblique, and multifidus muscles was recorded. EMG data were collected during the performance of 10 repetitions of the leg-circle exercise bilaterally on the Reformer and on the Cadillac, as well as 10 single leg-circle repetitions performed unilaterally on the Mat with both the right and left lower limbs (a total of 40 repetitions). Since the data were not normal, Friedman ANOVA was conducted. Post-hoc Wilcoxon tests were carried out using the Bonferroni correction (p ˂ 0.05). Results: The results revealed significant differences in the rectus abdominis [χ²(3) = 26.89, p < 0.001] and in the internal oblique [χ²(3) = 27.44, p < 0.001], where the electrical activation was higher in the Mat-based exercises compared to those performed on the Cadillac or Reformer. By contrast, there was no difference between the exercises regarding activation of the external oblique or multifidus muscles. Conclusion: Pilates instructors can use this information about the EMG characteristics of leg-circle exercises performed on different devices to grade the exercise level.