Physical Fitness is the outcome of actions of movements which exercise the body. Methods of exercise are used to improve the efficiency and over all function of the body. The muscles are used in isolation in exercise, such as when working on one arm bicep curl or in integration such as in a Pelvic Curl where many more muscle are activated in motion.
Since the body works in synergy as a whole in space such as a team or groups do. It is important to exercise the entire body. In this way a uniformed body is better enhanced through a work of regular conditioning.
Base of the Human Form
There are structural components such as the human skeleton. The bones are put together as a puzzle to form the human figure.
Next are the ligaments which join the skeletal parts together. It’s not so simple as there is more involved, yet in simpler terms this is the basic base of the human body.
On top of this are the muscles which are fibrous human tissue intricately assembled. This assembly is arranged and connected to joining bones which meet each other, called joints. These are the moving parts of the upper and lower body.
It’s as one of my instructors once made the analogy, as the human body is liken to a suspension bridge, “the bones are
the structure and the muscles are the cables.” This being a analogy that demonstrates a visual picture on why every muscle must be strengthened. It creates an even uniformity of the mechanical function of the body as a whole.
Over Used or Under Used Muscles
Therefore, when muscles are tight or the skeleton frame is out of alignment. Muscles tightened and adhesions are caused, which place burden on the bones or impinge the nerve functions as well. While a misaligned structure will cause improper movement, resulting in pulling of tighten muscles due to misuse use and/or overuse. Hence when complaints come from tightness in a localized part of the body.
What makes Pilates unique is it focuses on the three important fundamentals of alignment, balance and core strength. In the following blog called, “Core Central,” these fundamental concepts will be covered.