Biomechanic of ballroom dance: corporate adaptations with different footwear

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare the joint amplitude, spine angulation and displacement of the center of mass during the execution of gafieira samba with and without high heels at different speed. In addition, the reproducibility of the movement was tested. Fifteen experienced dancers performed a sequence of gafieira samba steps under the conditions: high heels (7.5cm) and flats at two speeds according to the beat of music (72 and 96bpm). Kinematic analysis was performed on the Vicon® system with 11 cameras (100 Hz). Twenty-one reflective markers were positioned over the participants' bodies to calculate the center of mass and joint angles of the lower limbs and spine. Reproducibility was determined by the intraclass correlation coefficient and the comparison between conditions was tested by a Two-way Analysis of Variance, with the factors footwear and speed. The results indicated to a moderate to very high reproducibility in all variables analyzed. No differences were found between lumbar curvature, thoracic and displacement of the center of mass. There was no interaction between types of footwear and step execution speed, but analyzing the main factors, there was a decrease in the left ankle plantiflexion angle with increasing speed. The ankle angles showed a significant decrease under the condition flats when compared to high heels. In conclusion, high heels do not alter lumbar curvature, displacement of the center of mass and knee and hip joint amplitude in the execution of gafieira samba.

Keywords

• dance
• kinematics
• high hells