Development of the Dance Fitness Indicator©: A high intensity dance fitness test

Abstract

The aim of this study was to develop a contemporary dance technique specific high intensity dance fitness test, and carry out preliminary testing into measuring the physiological intensity and reliability. The choreography of the Dance Fitness Indicator© (DFI©) is based upon Humphrey/Limón, Graham, and Cunningham techniques and includes dance elements that relate to fitness elements, that increase in intensity over four levels, designed to observe changes in heart rate (HR) and rate of perceived exertion (RPE) as the DFI© progresses. Each level lasts for four minutes, 16 seconds, with a 1-minute rest in between each level; the full DFI lasts for 20 minutes and 22 seconds. Twelve contemporary dancers (F=9 age 24±6.86 years, M=3 age 20±0.58 years) were taught the DFI© in a familiarization session before undertaking two test trials, within a one-week period. Dependent variablesto measure intensity were heart rate (HR), rate of perceived exertion (RPE), and blood lactate (BLa). Data for level 4 during test 1 and test 2 respectively were HR: 184 b.min-1 ±16.79 vs 187 b.min1 ±16.18; RPE: 17 ±2.43 vs 17 ±2.12; and BLa = 8.9 mmol.L-1 ±2.71 vs 9.1 mmol.L-1 ±2.41. Reliability was calculated by determining the coefficient of variation from paired samples t-tests between test 1 and test 2, which demonstrated consistency/good reliability (<5%) for end BLa (3.2%), HR (1.7%) and RPE (0.9%). These preliminary results suggest that the DFI© requires a high physiological intensity demand, through movement-specific contemporary dance technique, relating to dance performance intensity, and is a reliable testing mode within a dance studio environment. It could also be used to assess dancers’ physiological abilities to cope with high intensity intermittent cardiovascular and technical demands of dance performance, however further testing with greater numbers is recommended.