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Bilateral differences in peak force, power, and maximum plié depth during multiple grande jetés
Matthew Wyon1, Julie Harris, Derrick Brown
1Research Centre for Sport Exercise and Performance, University of Wolverhampton, West Midlands, UK. M.Wyon@wlv.ac.uk
Medical Problems of Performing Artists
|March 7, 2013
Summary
Female dancers exhibit bilateral differences in jump power and knee flexion, with the non-dominant leg experiencing greater forces during grand jetés. Training modifications are recommended to address these imbalances.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Dance Science
- Sports Medicine
Background:
- Lateral bias is a known phenomenon in dance training.
- Understanding bilateral differences in dancers is crucial for injury prevention and performance optimization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate bilateral differences in peak forces, power, and maximum knee flexion during grand jetés.
- To examine the relationship between these biomechanical variables and leg dominance in female dancers.
Main Methods:
- Randomised observational study design.
- 20 pre-professional female dancers participated.
- Leg dominance was assessed, followed by a three grand jeté sequence with randomized lead leg.
- Peak take-off power, relative landing force (BW), and maximum knee flexion angles were measured using accelerometry and goniometry.
Main Results:
- 90% of dancers reported right leg dominance.
- Significant differences in peak take-off power were observed across jumps (p<0.01), with jump 3 > jump 1.
- The left leg demonstrated a significantly deeper plié (maximum knee flexion) than the right during take-off (p<0.01).
- Landing forces increased, and maximum knee flexion angles decreased across the jump sequence.
- The non-dominant side experienced increased forces during grand jetés.
Conclusions:
- Female dancers exhibit distinct bilateral strategies during the take-off and landing phases of grand jetés.
- These strategies result in greater forces on the non-dominant leg.
- Training methodologies should be modified to mitigate these bilateral asymmetries and reduce injury risk.
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