Exercise Prescription & Stott Pilates

When it comes to most physical injuries, a big part of the healing process is prescribed exercises that help the body get back to a healthy state. An exercise prescription is a specific regimen selected by a physiotherapist that is tailored to a certain individual’s needs. Generally, these exercises are assigned in stages in order to gradually work the body back into an ideal state of health and make it less likely for re-injury to occur. More often than not, and particularly when it comes to rehabilitation after a serious physical injury, a physiotherapist will prescribe and work through an exercise regimen with a patient in recovery. Addressing muscle imbalances and stabilizing muscles will help build a more invincible version of you! While each exercise prescription is unique to each person it is meant for, it generally includes these similar recommendations:

• Type of activity and/or exercise targeted to the area of the body that is in need of recovery
• Specified number of repetitions
• Target heart rate in order to further determine how intense the exercises need to be
• How often and how long each exercise needs to be performed
• Necessary health precautions

A person is more likely to achieve their health and fitness goals with an exercise prescription that takes into account their own personal tendencies and behavior. The exercise prescription that effectively incorporates appropriate physical activities with insightful motivational techniques is an ideal method of helping someone fully recover and become more resilient to injury in the future.

Developed by Lindsay and Moira Merrithew along with physiotherapists and sports/fitness experts, Stott Pilates is an updated approach to the original Pilates exercises that was developed by Joseph Pilates. The main difference between the original Pilates and the contemporary Stott Pilates is the latter’s focus on re-balancing muscles around the body’s joints as well as restoring the natural curvature of the spine. This is accomplished by maintaining five principles throughout the exercise:

1. Breathing to promote effective oxygenation of the blood
2. Pelvis placement to provide a ‘shock-absorbing position and promote efficient movement patterns
3. Ribcage placement to promote proper alignment during exercise
4. Scapular movement to avoid unnecessarily overworking neck and shoulder muscles
5. Head and Cervical spine placement to maintain the natural curve of the spine and avoid over-extension

These principles help make Stott Pilates an ideal exercise for a number of different body types. In addition, the accessibility and overall versatility of the exercise means Stott Pilates can be appropriate for specified sports training regimens as well as every day exercises.