Balance in Theatrical Dance Performance: A Systematic Review.

Area of Science:

• Dance Science
• Sports Medicine
• Kinesiology

Background:

• Theatrical dance demands complex movements requiring exceptional balance.
• Dancers' balance is crucial for meeting choreographic requirements.
• Existing research on balance and dance performance needs critical evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review experimental evidence on the link between balance and dance performance.
• To assess balance testing, training, and performance in theatrical dance.
• To focus on adult dancers in full-time training or professional careers.

Main Methods:

• Searched MEDLINE, PubMed, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, Cochrane, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar (1980-2016).
• Used MeSH terms: "postural balance," "balance, postural," "musculoskeletal equilibrium," "postural equilibrium," and "dance."
• Applied PRISMA recommendations and GRADE system for quality assessment.

Main Results:

• Evaluated 47 relevant articles from 1,140 initial results.
• Found only 1 randomized controlled trial (RCT); most studies were low-quality.
• 39 articles focused on balance ability, 5 on coordination, 3 on laterality; female ballet dancers were most studied.

Conclusions:

• The current body of evidence on balance and dance performance is of low quality.
• There is a significant need for high-quality randomized controlled trials.
• Further intervention studies focusing on balance training in dancers are recommended.