Use of a specific preparation to achieve better performance in competition choreographies by dancers of Junior I category (aged 12–13 years)

Abstract

Purpose. The paper aims at proving the efficiency of the specific preparation methodology in the improvement of the quality indicators associated to the competition choreographies performed by the dancers Junior I. Material. Two groups of Junior I dancers (12-13 years old) were monitored during this research: the experimental group (12 subjects) and the control group (12 subjects). The quality of the technical and artistic performance was evaluated by scores from 0 to 10 points, using the Barrow and McGee test adapted for dance sport. A program of exercises related to the competition choreography was created for the experimental group dancers so as to analyze the effect of the specific preparation. Results. The Standard and Latin choreographies performing quality was assessed by comparing the technical and artistic results according to the methodology applied. The scores for the Standard dances were around the mean of 7.43 points in the control group and 8.78 points in the experimental group; there were significant differences between means at p<0.001. As regards of the scores for the Latino dances, an average of 7.73 points was obtained for the control group and 8.62 points for the experimental one, with significant differences between averages at p<0.01. Conclusions. The monitoring of the quality indicators of the artistic and technical execution of the competition choreographies made possible the assessment of the Standard and Latin dances in terms of quality. The specific preparation methodology used in the training sessions of the dancers contributed to the improvement of the segmental coordination capacity and speed of execution, the increase of the specific endurance, development of the major muscle groups strength, joints mobility and muscles elasticity.