Prerequisites
To get the most out of your Pro Pilates studies, it's essential to have a foundational understanding of exercise science, as well as skeletal and muscle anatomy. If you're not already familiar with these topics, you can easily learn them through apps and/or literature.
Apps
Complete Anatomy
Muscle and Motion
Visual Anatomy Lite
Literature
Anatomy for Sport / Robert S. Behnke / 2023 / SBN: 978-91-7727-107-9
Pilates Anatomy / Rael Isacowitz, Karen Clippinger / 2019, English, ISBN 9781492567707
Muscles: Anatomy and Function / Spiral, 2012, Swedish, ISBN 9789186323431
The Physiology of Strength Training / Tommy Lundberg / Per Tesch, ISBN 9789178190775
Advanced Prerequisites
Knowledge in the areas described below will allow you to better absorb the education within Pro Pilates.
Skeleton and Joints
The structure and function of the skeleton
Naming of the major skeletal parts in Latin
The structure and function of joints
The names of the six most common joint types, where they are located in the body, and the movements that can occur in each joint (flexion, extension, lateral flexion, abduction, adduction, rotation)
Brief overview of the structure of menisci (meniscus articularis) and discs (discus articularis), where they are located, and their function
The Three Planes of Motion and Movements that Can Occur in the Planes
Sagittal plane (flexion, extension)
Frontal plane (lateral flexion, abduction, adduction)
Horizontal plane/transverse plane (rotation)
Muscle Physiology Related to Striated Skeletal Muscle
Structure of striated skeletal muscle
Function of connective tissue/fascia in and around the muscle belly
Different appearances of muscles
Muscle work and different types of contractions
Nerve supply to muscles
Definition of motor unit and how they function during activity
Different muscle fiber types and the function of each fiber type
Muscle force development and how it can be affected both at the muscle cell level and for an entire muscle belly
Muscle protective reflexes; muscle and tendon spindles
Muscle Anatomy
The attachment, origin, and primary function of the following muscles:
m. pectoralis major
m. pectoralis minor
m. serratus anterior
m. rectus abdominis
m. obliquus externus abdominis
m. obliquus internus abdominis
m. transversus abdominis
m. erector spinae
m. levator scapulae
m. deltoideus
Rotator cuff
m. biceps brachii
m. brachialis
m. triceps brachii
Flexors of the forearm
Extensors of the forearm
m. brachioradialis
m. rhomboideus major and minor
m. trapezius
m. latissimus dorsi
m. gluteus maximus
m. gluteus medius and minimus
The five external rotators of the hip (piriformis, superior gemellus, obturator internus, inferior gemellus, quadratus femoris)
Hamstrings
mm. adductores
m. iliacus
m. psoas major
m. psoas minor
m. quadriceps femoris
m. tensor fascia latae
m. sartorius
m. tibialis anterior
m. gastrocnemius
m. soleus
Physiology / Breathing
Structure, placement, and function of the airways
Overview of how inhalation and exhalation occur
Factors that control the breathing rate
Exercise Science / Strength Training
Definition and purpose of strength training
Effects of gender and age
Effects of regular training
Exercise Science / Flexibility Training
Definition and purpose of flexibility training
Effects of age
Effects of regular training
Static and dynamic flexibility
Factors affecting joint flexibility