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Female Collegiate Dancers' Physical Fitness across Their Four-Year Programs: A Prospective Analysis
Jatin P Ambegaonkar1, Jena Hansen-Honeycutt2, Kelley R Wiese1
1Sports Medicine Assessment Research & Testing (SMART) Laboratory, George Mason University, Manassas, VA 20110, USA.
Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology
|July 25, 2023
Summary
Collegiate dancers
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Dance Science
- Kinesiology
Background:
- Dance requires high physical fitness (PF) including strength, endurance, and balance.
- The evolution of PF throughout collegiate dance programs is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prospectively compare the physical fitness of collegiate dancers from their freshman to senior years.
Main Methods:
- 23 female collegiate dancers were assessed for upper body strength endurance (push-ups), core strength endurance (plank holds), lower body power (single leg hop), and balance.
- Measures were compared between freshman and senior year using repeated measures ANOVAs.
Main Results:
- No significant changes were observed in upper body strength endurance, core strength endurance, or lower body power across the four years.
- While overall balance remained similar, senior dancers demonstrated improved balance symmetry compared to freshmen.
Conclusions:
- Collegiate dancers' physical fitness remains stable throughout their program.
- Freshman physical fitness levels may serve as a suitable baseline for rehabilitation and return-to-activity decisions post-injury.
