Abstract
The response of supine jump height and pelvic alignment to a conditioning and alignment program using the Current Concepts Reformer is evaluated. A total of 24 subjects (first and second year dance students at California State University, Long Beach) participated in the study; 14 in the experimental group received 8 weeks of Reformer instruction and 10 in the control group received no Reformer instruction. The two variables assessed were jump height from a supine position on the Reformer and the maintenance of pelvic alignment while executing jumps in a standing position. A significant improvement was found in jump height for each group, however, there was no significant difference in the amount of improvement between the groups; the experimental group had a p-value of 0.0016 and the control group had a p-value of 0.0008. Differences in alignment between groups were found in 3 of 8 pelvic alignment assessment questions as determined by independent observers. An average change in mean score toward the poor alignment grade was found in the experimental group (0.71 ± 0.61). A very slight shift toward the excellent alignment grade was found in the control group (0.06 ± 0.58; 0.11 ± 0.42; 0.22 ± 0.51). Inter-observer reliability was determined for each of the pelvic alignment assessment questions and a p-value of 0.05 was obtained for one of the eight assessment questions using the Spearman Rank Order Correlation. A correlation between pelvic alignment and jump height was unable to be determined.
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