The Examination of Muscle Balance in Dancers

Abstract

The aim was to examine the anthropometric parameters of representatives of different dance styles, the strength and extensibility of trunk muscles, and whether low back pain influences performance during a show or stage appearance. According to our hypothesis, low back pain and deviations in the functional conditions of the spine are common in dancers aged 9-18, and can have a negative effect in their performance on stage. In addition, we assume that weakness can be experienced in the strength of the trunk muscles, their extensibility is not appropriate even in spite of regular training. 92 dancers (average age: 14,15± 2,95 years) participated in the examination: 30 ballet dancers, 32 ballroom dancers, and 30 hip-hop dancers. The anthropometric data was measured with OMRON KaradaScan body composition monitor, the level of the negative effect of low back pain on stage performance was measured by visual analogue scale, and the strength and extensibility was measured with a Kraus-Weber test. On the basis of the anthropologic evaluation, we received a significant difference concerning each examined parameters (body weight: p=0,000, height: p= 0,000, muscle mass: p= 0,001, BMI: p=0,000, body fat percentage: p=0,000), the reason of which was the fact that the different dance styles have different physical requirements for the dancers. In accordance with data measured by the visual analogue scale, no significant difference was received (p=0,104) between the examined groups, although the hip-hop dancers reported the highest percentage (10,54%) of the occurrence of low back pain that negatively affects their stage performance. On the basis of the Kraus-Weber test, in the case of both abdominal muscle exercises the hip-hop group had significantly better performance (K-W A.: p=0,016, K-W B.: p=0,001) than the other two groups. Concerning muscle extensibility, (K-W F.: p= 0,030) the ballet group had significantly better results. In the case of all three examined groups it can be claimed that despite regular training, low back complaints occur at a very young age, which also have negative effects on stage performance.