The Cardiorespiratory,anthropometric, and Performance Characteristics of an International/National Touring Ballet Company

Assessment of Maximum Aerobic Capacity and Anaerobic Threshold of Elite Ballet Dancers

“…The data from the present study suggests that there are significant differences with medium to large effect sizes in the cardiorespiratory profiles of elite ballet dancers based on company rank, but unlike Wyon et al [6], that noted no significant differences between company ranks, the present study noted for anaerobic thresholds for principal and soloist dancers were significantly greater than the artist rank. In soccer for instance, a player's position could be determined initially by player choice, dominant leg, physical characteristics [23] prior to the player taking on the physiological characteristics of that position [24].…”

“…These data suggest that principal dancers place greater demand on their aerobic and anaerobic systems (dance sequences 2-5 minutes long), soloists their lactate systems (60-90 seconds) and artists their aerobic system [19]. This reflects previously reported differences in maximal aerobic capacity data of ballet dancers, in which principal and artist dancers had greater capacities than soloists [6], though no differences in anaerobic thresholds were reported . A concern arises when a dancer is promoted to the next rank and they are not prepared for the different physiological demands that the new choreography will place on their body.…”

“…Seventy-four volunteers were recruited from two full-time professional classical ballet companies in the UK (Table 1), based VO2max and anaerobic threshold data in the paper by Wyon et al [6] we set alpha at 5% and 90% power giving us a sample size of 10 individuals per group which was achieved with the exception of principal males which had 9 participants. The companies had between 188-225 performances a year and dancers were contracted for 48 weeks a year and 38 hours per week.…”

“…running); this in turn reduces the physiological stimulus for adaptation of the cardiorespiratory system. Previous research has reported aerobic capacity of ballet dancers to be between 39-51ml.kg.min -1 for female ballet dancers and 50-57ml.kg.min -1 for males [4][5][6]. There are a number of possible explanations for the observed variations including when the dancer was tested in the year as Wyon et al [7] reported significant increases in aerobic capacity between rehearsal and performance periods.…”

Effects of Aerobic Endurance, Muscle Strength, and Motor Control Exercise on Physical Fitness and Musculoskeletal Injury Rate in Preprofessional Dancers: An Uncontrolled Trial

“…[1][2][3][4][5] One could compare these requirements with those of an athlete. 1 In contrasts to athletes, little attention has been paid to the prevention of injuries in dancers.…”