First challenge at a national university hospital in Japan
In elderly people, “locomotive syndrome” (a condition associated with impaired mobility due to musculoskeletal system disorders such as bones, muscles, joints, and nerves) is thought to lead to frailty (a condition of reduced mental and physical vitality due to aging) and sarcopenia (a loss of muscle mass and strength due to aging). Therefore, prevention of “locomotive syndrome” from young age is the key to staying healthy even in old age.
Causes of locomotive syndrome include spinal disease, joint disease, and osteoporosis. Exercise therapy is important for the prevention of locomotive syndrome. We have focused on Pilates as a form of exercise therapy to learn how to use the body. Tokushima university hospital is the first national university hospital in Japan to introduce Pilates.
Strengths of Pilates at Tokushima university hospital
Pilates teaches how to use and control the body in daily life. For example, various activities of daily life can strain the lower back. When a patient tries to pick up something in a high place, if the patient has poor shoulder movement, he or she tries to pick it up by extending his or her back. Continued movement in this way can strain the lower back and cause back pain.
Therefore, in order to avoid putting strain on the lower back, it is better to stabilize the lower back without moving it as much as possible, and then improve the movement of other parts of the body (thoracic spine, rib cage, shoulder joints, hip joints, etc.). In this way, we evaluate each patient’s movement, figure out where to correct the way they move their body, and set up a program.
From instruction in Pilates exercises on a mat (Fig. 1) that can be continued at home after discharge from the hospital to Pilates exercises in dynamic movements using equipment (Fig. 2), we provide customized exercise therapy for each individual to help them achieve their goals, such as return to work or return to sports.
