A Time-Motion Analysis of Turns Performed by Highly Ranked Viennese Waltz Dancers

Abstract

Twenty-four dance couples performing at the 2011 IDSF (International DanceSport Federation) International Slovenia Open were divided into two groups: the first twelve placed couples (top ranked) and the last twelve placed couples (lower ranked). Video recordings were processed automatically using computer vision tracking algorithms under operator supervision to calculate movement parameters. Time and speed of movement were analysed during single natural (right) and reverse (left) turns performed during the Viennese waltz. Both top and lower ranked dancers tended to perform similar proportionate frequencies of reverse (≈ 35%) and natural (≈ 65%) turns. Analysis of reverse turns showed that the top ranked dancers performed less turns on a curved trajectory (16%) than the lower ranked dancers (33%). The top ranked couples performed all turns at similar speeds (F = 1.31, df = 3, p = 0.27; mean = 2.09m/s) all of which were significantly quicker than the lower ranked couples (mean = 1.94m/s), the greatest differences found for reverse turns (12.43% faster for curved trajectories, 8.42% for straight trajectories). This suggests that the ability to maintain a high speed in the more difficult turns, particularly the reverse turns on a curved trajectory, results in the overall dance appearing more fluent as the speed of movement does not fluctuate as much. This aspect of performance needs to be improved by lower ranked dancers if they wish to improve rating of their performance. Future research should determine which factors relate to the speed of turns.

A Retrospective Investigation on Age and Gender Differences of Injuries in DanceSport

“…Furthermore, in youth category the choreography becomes more complex and physically challenging as the frequency and speed of turns and hip movements is increased compared to junior category. This can be partly supported by previous research that showed significant differences in velocity between lower and higher rank dancers [35]. Apparently, no significant age-class or gender differences were observed for absolute dancing hours and percentage of dancers performing strength training to meet these increased physical demands, growth and strength imbalances.…”

Reliability of Judging in DanceSport

“…DanceSport consists of three different disciplines: Standard dances (Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Slow Foxtrot, and Quickstep), Latin-American dances (Samba, Cha-Cha-Cha, Rumba, Paso Doble, and Jive) and Ten Dances (five Standard and five Latin-American dances). A dancer’s success is determined by technical and tactical skills (Uznović and Kostić, 2005; Howard, 2007; Uznović, 2008; Laird, 2009) morphological and motor abilities (Koutedakis, 2008; Lukić et al, 2011; Prosen et al, 2013), psychological preparation and aesthetics of movement (Lukić et al, 2009; Čačković et al, 2012). Furthermore, efficiency in DanceSport has been suggested as a determining factor for a judge to award marks for the dancers’ performance (Bijster, 2013a, 2013b).…”

A Time Motion and Analysis of Partnering Skills in Latin-American Dance Using a Semi-Automatic Tracking System: A Case Study

“…The footage was transferred to a PC post event and analysed with a semi-automated tracking system, which is a large scale human tracking motion measurement system based on computer vision technology (Perš, Bon, Kovačič, Šibila, & Dežman, 2002). The system proved to be suitable for analysing dancers' motion in LA and BR dance (Prosen et al, 2013).…”

“…Previous research has suggested that in standard dance the speed and distance covered by dancers is most likely to be due to the choreography (Zaletel et al, 2010b) and also due to different level of performance -better couples are faster and travel further distance (Prosen, 2013), but this remains to be determined through motion analysis in Latin-American dance. To authors knowledge partnering skills in Latin-American dance was not often investigated in sports science.…”

“…A subsequent study that compared high level adult and youth standard dancers showed that the dynamics of movement (distance covered and speed) were greater in the adult couples (Zaletel, Vučković, James, Rebula, & Zagorc, 2010b). The authors suggested that the younger dancers were using a basic choreography travelling in circles while the adult couples used more complex choreographies, consistently utilising the inner space of the dance floor (Prosen, James, Dimitriou, Perš, & Vučković, 2013).…”