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The overall purpose of this research was to test the possible psychological effects of the practice of Pilates and, in particular, the effect on the degree of anxiety experienced. This is a method of physical training aimed at improving postural hygiene and psychological well-being, highly recommended today by health professionals, both for people with diagnosed diseases and for prevenuve level. So far, the physical and psychological benefits associated with regular physical activity practice have already been demonstrated. However, only a few studies have investigated the specific effects of the Pilates Method. This paper examined the anxiety (state and trait) in a sedentary group and in another group of usual practitioners of this method (staff, students, and users of sports facilities at the University of Murcia, Spain). The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) of Spielberger, Gorsuch and Lushene (2002) was used to assess anxiety. The implications that the results of this work can have from the perspective of health promotion in the university are discussed, as well as its contribution to public health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper three alternative theoretical streams to cognitivism, with particular emphasis on enactivism are discussed in order to explain the sport skill acquisition process and human control of movement. In the first part, main concepts of ecological psychology are outlined, like movement regulation, direct perception or mutual interdependence between percep-tion and action. Afterwards, using dynamical model as background, some concepts of motor skill coordination are explained (i.e., constraints or movement emergency). The next section will be focused on enactive ap-proach as a conceptual extension from cognitive science that transcends the other paradigms. From this orientation, it calls for a mind-body fusion of the athlete, which is inseparable to the environment and opposing the prevailing dualism and reductionism. Finally, some guidelines and applica-tions enactive research that are currendy being developed are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]