So many professional sports teams and elite athletes now use Pilates as a critical part of their training regime which is a testament of how important this type of exercise is for the body. Pilates conditions the whole body so that no muscle group is overtrained or undertrained. A simple addition of one or two classes of Pilates a week can hugely benefit your performance no matter what level of sport you take part in and the silver lining that has come out of 2020 is that classes are now more accessible then ever thanks to Zoom!
Pilates is hugely beneficial for all sports. I have seen many types of sports people come to my studio and injury clinic over the years and they have reported numerous improvements in their sports performance since starting Pilates. Cyclists, runners, golfers, gym enthusiasts, hikers but mostly and especially here in Ireland, GAA players get profound results in their movement and performance. Pilates improves so much more then flexibility. Yes it is true that flexibility is a gain from taking Pilates classes but for sports people it means that deeper muscles, which are sometimes overlooked in training sessions, are activated strengthened and stretched in a class.
While treating GAA players for injuries I noticed a pattern. With each player that came through my door whether it be for treatment or for classes, it was always the same issues...hamstrings, groin, lower back, front of the hips, knees...all of these areas have muscle groups connected and attached to the pelvis. In Pilates we learn how to firstly bring the pelvis into the correct alignment and from there strengthen the muscles to stabilize it which in turn corrects muscle imbalances and allows the spine to also come into the correct alignment. This creates good shock absorption for the body and allows it to move more efficiently.
By correcting these alignments it improves sports performance and decreases fatigue because of less strain on the body and because of better stability due to core engagement. But there's more....
Pilates increases overall flexibility, strength, power and balance. Improved flexibility of the muscles and mobility of the joints increases range of movement allowing a player to reach that bit further or allowing the legs to lengthen when in a stride. However the balanced approach Pilates takes also takes into account the importance of stability of a joint to reduce the risk of injury. And for those who cannot avoid injury (unfortunately sport and injuries go hand in hand) Pilates helps the body recover from them faster.
Pilates improves concentration through focused breathing. Deep breathing helps to activate the deep support muscles by engaging the transverse abdominals. The TA supports the spine through different ranges of movement. You become very aware of how your body feels and how best to control its movement. The breath helps avoid any unnecessary tension in the neck and shoulders and helps the player to remain calm and composed yet focused before and throughout a game.
Final thoughts... Pilates creates an evenly conditioned body to improve sports performance, focus and reduces the risk of injuries.
What are you waiting for? Start today!
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