Thigh-muscles strength training, dance exercise, dynamometry, and anthropometry in professional ballerinas.
Abstract
The purpose of the present study was to assess the effects of 12 weeks of quadriceps and hamstring strength training on torque levels after a dance exercise and on selected anthropometric parameters. The sample consisted of 22 (ages, 25 +/- 1.3 years) full-time professional ballerinas who were randomly assigned into experimental (n = 12) and control (n = 10) groups. A dance routine designed to cause fatigue within 5 minutes, isokinetic dynamometry, and anthropometric assessments were conducted before and after strength training in both groups. Before strength training, the dance routine resulted in significant reductions of hamstring (p < 0.001) and quadriceps (p < 0.001) peak torques in both subject groups. However, after strength training, only control subjects demonstrated such torque decrements (p < 0.001) after the dance routine. Furthermore, the experimental group revealed greater knee extension (119 vs. 138 N.m; p < 0.001) and flexion (60 vs. 69 N.m; p < 0.001) torques, smaller sum of skinfolds (33.6 vs. 27.8 mm; p < 0.01), more fat-free mass (37.7 vs. 39.4 kg; p < 0.05), but unchanged body mass (p > 0.05) and thigh circumferences (p > 0.05). A negative relationship (p < 0.001) was found between initial strength levels and improvements measured at the end of the 12-week program. These results suggest that supplementary strength training for hamstring and quadriceps muscles is beneficial to professional ballerinas and their dancing; weaker individuals are more likely to benefit from such regimens than their stronger counterparts, whereas increases in thigh-muscle strength do not alter selected aesthetic components.Citation
Journal of strength and conditioning research, 18 (4): 714-8Publisher
Human Kinetics Publishers, Inc.Journal
Journal of strength and conditioning research / National Strength & Conditioning AssociationDOI
10.1519/13983.1PubMed ID
15574072Additional Links
http://journals.lww.com/nsca-jscr/Abstract/2004/11000/Thigh_Muscles_Strength_Training,Dance.5.aspxType
Journal articleLanguage
enISSN
1064-8011ae974a485f413a2113503eed53cd6c53
10.1519/13983.1