Biomechanical Research in Dance: A Literature Review

Abstract

The authors reviewed the literature, published from 1970 through December 2009, on biomechanical research in dance. To identify articles, the authors used search engines, including PubMed and Web of Science, five previous review articles, the Dance Medicine and Science Bibliography, and reference lists of theses, dissertations, and articles being reviewed. Any dance research articles (English language) involving the use of electromyography (EMG), forceplates, motion analysis using photography, cinematography or videography, and/or physics analysis were included. A total of 89 papers, theses/dissertations, and abstracts were identified and reviewed, grouped by the movement concept or specialized movements being studied: alignment (n = 8), plié (8), relevé (8), passé (3), degagé (3), développé (7), rond de jambe (3), grand battement (4), arm movements (1), forward stepping (3), turns (6), elevation work (28), falls (1), and dance-specific motor strategies (6). Several recurring themes emerged from these studies: that elite dancers demonstrate different and superior motor strategies than novices or nondancers; that dancers perform differently when using a barre as opposed to without a barre, both in terms of muscle activation patterns and weight shift strategies; that while skilled dancers tend to be more consistent across multiple trials of a task, considerable variability is seen among participants, even when matched for background, years of training, body type, and other variables; and that dance teachers recommend methods of achieving movement skills that are inconsistent with optimal biomechanical function, as well as inconsistent with strategies employed by elite dancers. Measurement tools and the efficacy of study methodologies are also discussed.

Influence of foot position and vision on dynamic postural strategies during the “grand plié” ballet movement (squatting) in young and adult ballet dancers

“…The "grand plié" is not challenging for ballet dancers, however it is an essential basic ballet movement that is practiced daily from the very first lessons [21]. As a result of training, dancers develop specific motor strategies to achieve this movement, which are more effective than those of non-dancers [26]. The strategies developed depend on the type of dancing [16] and are not highlighted by non-dancingspecific balance tasks, such as the simple one leg stance [18].…”

Do Grade II Ankle Sprains Have Chronic Effects on the Functional Ability of Ballet Dancers Performing Single-Leg Flat-Foot Stance? An Observational Cross-Sectional Study

“…During performance, ballet dancers have a great need for stability and balance control [1,2], along with a high level of general "flexibility", which are peculiar characteristics that improve with ballet training [1,[3][4][5]. Ankle control is of the utmost importance for executing static and dynamic positions typical of ballet dancing [6,7]. In 2017, Vassallo et al reported the epidemiology of dance-related injuries between 2000 and 2013, defining ankle sprains as the most common injury [8].…”

Technology in Performing Arts Healthcare Research

“…Articles in MPPA examining musical performance with EMG have included pianists, violinists, violists, cellists, and trumpeters, while its use in dance has included patellofemoral pain in ballet and grand battement devant. The use of EMG in music performance research was reviewed in a 2000 article by Kjelland, 3 and its use in dance was reviewed in a 2011 article 4 ; the lead author of that article was Donna Krasnow, who has just become MPPA's Associate Editor for Dance.…”

“…W hat have we learned from articles that have used these diverse technologies to study health issues in performing artists? The review article by Krasnow et al 4 found:…”

“…How can technology help us advance performing arts medicine in the future? I would like to see a more rigorous review of the biomechanics of instrumental performance, similar to the paper by Krasnow et al 4 We would then be in a position to map out research strategies that could identify areas where real progress is possible. On the clinical side, a study using handheld ultrasound (or another imaging technology) in instrumentalists with performancerelated musculoskeletal disorders might identify some objective evidence of injury that could then be screened for, monitored, and treated.…”