Abstract
The aim of the study was to compare the static balance of dancers and non-dancers in a bipedal and unipedal stance. Twenty-three female dancers (mean age: 21.3 ± 1.7) and 24 age and sex-matched subjects (mean age 22.3 ± 1.0) participated in this study. A force platform was used to assess balance. The tests on the balance platform were performed in several positions with different foot placement, such as normal standing (NS) eyes open and eyes closed positions, semi-tandem position (ST), tandem position (TP), and one-leg standing (1L) eyes open and eyes closed position. Significant differences in balance between the dancers and the control group, especially in the tandem position and one-leg standing position with eyes closed were found. We observed higher results for the velocity of the COP in the frontal plane in the TP with a dominant limb in front (p = 0.04) and higher results for the velocity of the COP in the frontal plane (p = 0.01) and in the sagittal plane (p < 0.01) in the TP with a dominant limb in front in the control group. We also observed significant differences between groups in the mean velocity of COP sway in the sagittal plane in the 1 L position with eyes closed (p = 0.04). We concluded that dancing regularly for several years improves static balance.
Highlights
During the static test in the Normal Standing Position (NS) eyes open and NS eyes closed position, the results obtained in the sagittal plane, such as the middle of the spectrum, differed significantly between the study and control groups (Table 2)
No significant differences between the mean velocity of center of foot pressure (COP) displacement in both planes were found in either group
We assessed whether practicing dance a minimum of three times a week for several years improves static balance compared to people with low physical activity
Summary
Higher results for the velocity of the COP in the frontal plane (p = 0.01) and in the sagittal plane (p < 0.01) in the TP with a dominant limb in front in the control group. We observed significant differences between groups in the mean velocity of COP sway in the sagittal plane in the 1L position with eyes closed (p = 0.04). Of the three sensory systems governing postural control, the proprioceptive inputs are thought to have the most significant influence in detecting body sway [5]. Quantitative posturography includes a set of standing balance test protocols. It provides an objective measurement of postural sway and shows changes in the center of foot pressure (COP) [9]
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