Clinical Pilates in Practice: Biomechanics of Pregnancy

This is a systematic review of 50 papers looking at how biomechanical changes during pregnancy will affect quality of life in this population.

Conder, R., Zamani, R. and Akrami, M. (2019). The Biomechanics of Pregnancy: A Systematic Review. Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology, 4(4), pp.72-87.

Key Points: Biomechanics of Pregnancy

• Most statistically significant results are found in the third trimester.

• While anterior pelvic tilt, lumbar lordosis, and thoracic kyphosis increase during pregnancy, this wasn’t consistent across studies, and is therefore likely related to individual factors.

• Back pain during pregnancy is not related to spinal changes.

Postural control is decreased during pregnancy. However, stability is increased by the third trimester.

• During pregnancy, the risk of falls increases due to decreases in postural control and stability.

• Falls risk is increased in pregnant women who demonstrate decreased ankle “stiffness”/strength.

• Gait changes during pregnancy are not consistent, but may involve decreased velocity and stride length, decreased single leg stance time, and increased step width.

• Pelvic and thoracic rotations during gait may increase or decrease during pregnancy, and are likely correlated with pelvic girdle pain or lumbar pelvic pain.

• Trunk and hip mobility are inconsistently affected during pregnancy, again likely related to individual factors.

• Among some individuals, there is an increased tendency towards pronation of the foot during pregnancy.

Clinical Pilates in practice

• Assess each pregnancy individually.

• Work to reduce falls risks by increasing ankle strength.

  → Standing Ankle Press at Wunda Chair.

  → Standing Triceps Press at Cadillac/Tower, with heel raise.

  → Standing Knee Floats.

• Work to reduce falls risks by increasing postural control in standing.

  → Challenge standing postures with eyes closed.

  → Standing Platform Series on Reformer.

  → Step Ups/Mountain Climber on Wunda Chair.

• Work on hip flexion/extension mobility and strength.

  → Eve’s Lunge on Reformer.

  → Standing Leg Springs.

• Spinal mobility series through flexion/extension/lateral flexion/rotation.

  → Spine Stretch Series.

  → Rowing Series.