Leg-Length in Relation to Selected Ballet Performance Indicators.

Abstract

The total of 10 recreational, 24 vocational, and 10 professional ballerinas volunteered. They were subjected to: a) lower limb-length measurements, b) power tests (vertical jump-sautés and unilateral countermovement jump-temps levé), c) dexterity tests (tendus and double battement frappes), and d) flexibility tests (lateral active and passive-développé à la seconde). For power, regression analyses revealed negative leg-length relationships in recreational dancers (p<0.05) and positive leg-length relationships in vocational dancers (p<0.05). We also found negative relationships between leg-length and dexterity in the vocational group (p=0.01). No significant predictions of leg-length on power, dexterity, and range of motion were found in professional dancers. Multiple comparisons revealed significant differences between groups only for dexterity (p<0.01) and range of motion (p<0.01). Based on selected movements representative of power, dexterity, and range of motion, the present exploratory data indicate that lower limb length is not a determinative criterion for ballet success. Further studies should investigate whether body stereotypes, such as long limbs, are linked to dance injuries.