Asymmetry in Muscle Activation and Co-Contraction Between Lower Limb During Zap-3 Flamenco Footwork

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics of dance
• Human motor control
• Sports science

Background:

• Flamenco dance requires intricate footwork, potentially leading to muscle imbalances.
• Understanding lower limb muscle activation and co-contraction is crucial for dancer performance and injury prevention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate asymmetries in muscle activation and co-contraction during flamenco Zap-3 footwork.
• To examine the influence of footwork speed and dancer proficiency on these asymmetries.

Main Methods:

• Electromyography (EMG) of gastrocnemius medialis, biceps femoris, tibialis anterior, and rectus femoris was recorded in 12 flamenco dancers (6 professional, 6 amateur).
• Participants performed the Zap-3 sequence at 160 bpm, 180 bpm, and fastest speed (F).
• Co-contraction index was calculated for selected muscle pairs in dominant and non-dominant legs.

Main Results:

• Significant muscle activation and co-contraction asymmetries were observed only in professional dancers at the fastest speed (F).
• Asymmetries included higher gastrocnemius medialis in the non-dominant leg and higher biceps femoris in the dominant leg.
• A higher co-contraction index of biceps femoris/rectus femoris was found in the dominant leg at F speed.

Conclusions:

• Professional flamenco dancers develop specific lower limb muscle activation asymmetries at high speeds.
• These findings highlight the importance of considering speed and proficiency when analyzing biomechanics in flamenco.
• Results can inform tailored training strategies to optimize flamenco dancer performance and mitigate injury risks.