IDENTIFYING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF AN ONLINE DANCE-SPECIFIC PROTOCOL ON ALIGNMENT AND MUSCLE ACTIVATION IN UNIVERSITY DANCE MAJORS

ECU Author/Contributor (non-ECU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)

Megan Grey Shepherd (Creator)

Institution

East Carolina University (ECU )

Web Site: http://www.ecu.edu/lib/

Abstract: Sagittal pelvic alignment is a key component in a dancer’s ability to perform the physical tasks required of a dancer. To maintain and improve sagittal pelvic alignment and overall fitness, dancers must cross-train in other forms of fitness modalities to improve technique, flexibility, strength, and reduce injury occurrence. Few dance-specific conditioning protocols have been tested, and no dance-specific conditioning protocols have been tested in an online format for effectiveness in improving sagittal pelvic alignment and lower extremity muscle activation. We hypothesize dancers who receive online supplemental training as a dance-specific conditioning intervention will have improved pelvic alignment and lower-extremity muscle activation compared to dancers in the control group participating in an active self-selected fitness routine. The purpose of the study is to compare the effects of online dance-specific supplemental training versus the control group on pelvic alignment changes and lower-extremity muscle activation in university level dancers. 24 university level dancers (12 intervention group, 12 control group) participated in a 6-week dance-specific intervention protocol given in an asynchronous and synchronous online format. Interaction effects were observed through group by time 2x2 repeated measures ANOVAs, p<0.05. The 24 participants completed identical pre- and post-test kinematic and muscle analysis to assess sagittal pelvic alignment and muscle activation at various points during three dance phrases, two ballet phrases and one modern phrase. The intervention group showed an improvement of 2.4° (p<0.05) in sagittal pelvic alignment through an interaction effect in ballet phrase 2, fifth position back. There was also a demonstrated group effect for the erector spinae in ballet phrase 2. However, these were the only two points of statistical significance and we were unable to identify the effectiveness of this protocol given in an online format. These findings suggest that a 6-week online dance-specific conditioning protocol is insufficient at improving pelvic alignment and muscle activation in dancers.

Additional Information

Publication

Thesis

Language: English

Date: 2023

Subjects

Dance;Biomechanics;Dance Biomechanics;Pelvic Alignment;EMG;Intervention;Dance-specific Intervention;Dance Science

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