Figure 5.

The participant is in the starting position of the push-up front, an advanced Pilates exercise for balance control and strengthening of the upper body, while challenging the total core for stabilization. She will engage her shoulder flexors concentrically along with the synergistic eccentric action of the shoulder extensors to push the spring-loaded carriage forward. When the carriage is returned to the starting position, the shoulder flexors eccentrically act in tandem with the synergistic concentric muscle contractions of the shoulder extensors to control the spring recoil of the carriage return. From the initiation of the exercise to its completion, the trunk, pelvis, hips, and shoulder girdles (total core strengthening) and limb musculature isometrically contract to stabilize her body in this plank pose. Three to 5 repetitions are preformed with 1 leg elevated. This is then repeated with the contralateral leg.