The Effect of Pilates and Myofascial Release on Flexibility

It will be used to assess hamstring muscle shortness. The person lies on his back. While the non-tested leg and back are fixed on the ground, the tested hip is 90 degrees flexed and tries to extend the knee. The value measured with the goniometer is recorded.

It will be used to assess gastrocnemius flexibility. In front of the wall, the person tries to contact the wall with his knee without the sole of his feet rising from the ground. The non-tested leg can stay in the desired position and put the knee on the ground. The foot is expected to be at the maximum distance from the wall so that the knee on the tested side does not break contact with the wall. The distance between the big toe and the wall is recorded.

The feet should be on the dynamometer with the sole in full contact. The chain of the dynamometer is adjusted so that the hips and knees are slightly flexed. The person grabs the handles with his hands and pulls them towards himself without disturbing the foot contact. 3 repetitions are performed and the maximum value is recorded.

The muscle strength of the hamstring and gastro muscles will be evaluated with a hand dynamometer. The person is asked to reveal movement. At this time, resistance is given with a dynamometer. Maximum resistance is created for a few seconds. The test is repeated 3 times and the maximum value on the dynamometer is recorded.

This test will be used to assess femoral nerve tension. The person sits on the chair with the hips and knees at 90º. Flexes the trunk first and then the neck. He then extends the knee and dorsiflexes the ankle. The maximum angle at which the patient can dorsiflex the ankle is measured.

It will be used to assess sciatic nerve tension. While the person is lying on his back, he is asked to raise his leg straight with the knee extended. The maximum lifted angle is noted. The test is repeated 3 times and the maximum value is recorded.

Pressure algometers developed by Fischer can measure up to 10 kg in kg/cm². There is a metal rod with a 1 cm² rubber on the end. This rubber tip ensures that the applied force is transmitted to the deep tissues. The rate and precision of the indicator allows measurement of both deep and superficial trigger points. As with other methods that evaluate trigger points, the muscles must be relaxed in order to be able to measure accurately. The tip of the pressure algometer is touched at a 90° angle to the point of the most intense sensitivity and the pressure is increased until the patient verbally expresses his discomfort. The application is repeated 3 times and the average value is recorded. For the hamstring, measurements will be taken from the recommended trigger points on the semitendinosus, semimembranosus and biceps femoris. For the gastrocnemius muscle, the measurement will be taken from the medial third of the muscle and 2 cm from the most bulging part of the muscle.

It will be used to assess dynamic balance. 4 strips cut in 2 meters length are adhered to form 45 degree angles between them. The person stands in the middle of the star shape. When stretching with the right foot, it moves clockwise, when stretching with the left foot, it moves counterclockwise. During the test, the hands should be on the waist and their position should not change. The person reaches as far as he can reach with his foot and touches the strip lightly with the tip of his finger and returns to the starting point. Then it is continued with the other line and 8 stretches are performed in this way. The tester then draws a line with a pencil at the last point he reaches to measure. The test is repeated 3 times and the other foot is switched. The distances reached are recorded.

It will be used to evaluate static balance. The non-dominant foot is lifted on the hips and the hands are placed on the leg at the other knee level. The time he held his position is recorded. The test is repeated 3 times, the most successful result is saved. The test is repeated in the same way with the eyes closed.