Article

The Alexander Technique (AT) is used to improve postural and movement
coordination and has been reported to be clinically beneficial, however its
effect on movement coordination is not well-characterized. In this study we
examined the sit-to-stand (STS) movement by comparing coordination (phasing,
weight-shift and spinal movement) between AT teachers (n=15) and matched control
subjects (n=14). We found AT teachers had a longer weight-shift (p<0.001) and
shorter momentum transfer phase (p=0.01), than control subjects. AT teachers also
increased vertical foot force monotonically, rather than unweighting the feet
prior to seat-off, suggesting they generate less forward momentum with hip
flexors. The prolonged weight-shift of AT teachers occurred over a greater range
of trunk inclination, such that their weight shifted continuously onto the feet
while bringing the body mass forward. Finally, AT teachers had greatly reduced
spinal bending during STS (cervical, p<0.001; thoracic, p<0.001; lumbar, p<0.05).
We hypothesize that the low hip joint stiffness and adaptive axial postural tone
previously reported in AT teachers underlies this novel "continuous" STS strategy
by facilitating eccentric contractions during weight-shift.
CI - Crown Copyright (c) 2011. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS