Physical Fitness Components and Posture Screening of Female Competitive Dancers
Poster Number
37
College
College of Education
Department
Physical Education, Sport & Human Performance
Faculty Mentor
Janet Wojcik, Ph.D.
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to evaluate and fill the lack of information on physical fitness components, posture, amount of pain experienced, and past injuries of female competitive dancers at the pre-professional level. Fifteen female dancers were tested between the ages of 15-18 years old. The participants performed a three-minute step test, push-ups and crunches test, sit-and-reach test, and a posture screen. These measurements were analyzed and correlated. The BMI values were healthy for age, except for two dancers, and postural deviations were minimal. Aerobic endurance was above the 75th percentile in eight dancers; all dancers but one scored below the 40th percentile in abdominal endurance, and over half scored above the 60th percentile in push-ups. Lastly, flexibility was high, with almost all dancers above the 75th percentile. There were no significant correlations of BMI and aerobic endurance (r = 0.025), crunches and push-ups (r = 0.33), and flexibility and posture (r = -0.19, r = 0.17). The most pain reported was in the lower back (n = 8) and most injuries reported were in the ankles (n = 4) and lower back (n = 4). In conclusion, there is a need for dancers to improve overall muscular fitness, with potential to prevent further injuries and pain experienced from dance. More data should be collected in this population and comparison groups such as professional dancers.
Start Date
24-4-2015 1:20 PM
End Date
24-4-2015 2:50 PM
Physical Fitness Components and Posture Screening of Female Competitive Dancers
Richardson Ballroom
The purpose of this study is to evaluate and fill the lack of information on physical fitness components, posture, amount of pain experienced, and past injuries of female competitive dancers at the pre-professional level. Fifteen female dancers were tested between the ages of 15-18 years old. The participants performed a three-minute step test, push-ups and crunches test, sit-and-reach test, and a posture screen. These measurements were analyzed and correlated. The BMI values were healthy for age, except for two dancers, and postural deviations were minimal. Aerobic endurance was above the 75th percentile in eight dancers; all dancers but one scored below the 40th percentile in abdominal endurance, and over half scored above the 60th percentile in push-ups. Lastly, flexibility was high, with almost all dancers above the 75th percentile. There were no significant correlations of BMI and aerobic endurance (r = 0.025), crunches and push-ups (r = 0.33), and flexibility and posture (r = -0.19, r = 0.17). The most pain reported was in the lower back (n = 8) and most injuries reported were in the ankles (n = 4) and lower back (n = 4). In conclusion, there is a need for dancers to improve overall muscular fitness, with potential to prevent further injuries and pain experienced from dance. More data should be collected in this population and comparison groups such as professional dancers.
