Assessment of abdominal strength and related variables in dancers from multiple institutions

Baas, Jane MFA, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA; Galbraith, Gary MFA, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Potter, Karen MFA, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Fortun, Chad PT, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Janiski, Carrie ATC, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA; and Chapman, Brenda BSPT, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA

Purpose:  The purpose is to examine the relationship between abdominal strength and dancers? anthropometric, biomechanical and technique data.  Of particular interest is the correlation between abdominal strength and the performance of turns, jumps and single leg dance movements.  

Method and Procedures:  Subjects at multiple institutions were screened using defined dance wellness screening protocols.  Seventy-eight dancers volunteered for screening with additional volunteers scheduled to be screened before October 2007.  Assessed were:  strength, joint range of motion, postural alignment and performance of basic dance technique.  Data collected was entered into a dancer wellness website to make use of existing data collection and analytical mechanisms.  

Results:  Initial analysis indicates consistent strength results in upper abdominal tests as well as tremendous range and considerable standard deviation for strength results in lower abdominal tests.  Excess anterior tilt was noted, depending on dance movement assessed, in 37% to 74% of subjects.  Anterior pelvic tilt was a prevalent technical deviance noted for:  transition from 1^st to 2^nd position, 1^st position rélèvé, passé balance, single pirouettes and jumps in 1^st position.  Additional data is being collected and full analysis will be conducted for reporting later this year.  

Conclusions:  Further analysis of all data may indicate a correlation between excessive anterior pelvic tilt in performance of several dance movements and lower abdominal strength test results.  Examination of structural data may provide an integrated assessment of both static and dynamic effects of abdominal strength.  Aggregate data from multiple institutions is expected to provide a larger and more reliable data base for developing future studies regarding dance wellness.