Further Effects of Somatic Training on Pelvic Tilt and Lumbar Lordosis Alignment during Quiet Stance and Dynamic Dance Movement

Abstract

The effectiveness of somatic training in the improvement of pelvic tilt (PelT) and lumbar lordosis (LL) alignment has been examined by Gamboian and colleagues.1 Further investigation is needed to continue analyzing the effect of somatic training on more subjects with repeated measurements across days. The purpose of this study was two fold: 1. to use repeated measures across more days and subjects to continue assessing whether alignment improvements from somatic training have a larger magnitude than day-to-day variability and a testing effect and 2. to determine whether improvements (if found) can be retained two weeks after training. Six female undergraduate subjects, who were dancing as a hobby, participated in four weeks of somatic training. Subjects began at different weeks for PelT and LL baseline measurements (weeks 1 to 3), then all subjects were assessed for posttest (week 7), and retention (week 9). The results revealed measurable LL improvements for almost all the subjects. An independent relationship between PelT and LL was also found in many of the subjects, since variability or changes were found with one measure and not the other. The presence of a testing effect and day-to-day variability suggest that future studies should continue to use multiple repeated measures, while also controlling arm position during conditions, the effect of conditions, and use of same foot position tracing after training.