Abstract
MP. Trebour, MM. Cutten, TG. Coffey, LQ. Jimenez, JP. Morrison. Longwood University, Farmville, VA 23909 PURPOSE: Irish Step Dance is a form of dance characterized by maintaining an upright posture and primarily moving the lower extremities with two different shoe styles. Soft shoe (SS) dance requires light and delicate movements, while hard shoe (HS) dance requires forceful and powerful movements. Irish dance competition pieces can last 30-60 seconds and performance pieces can last 10 minutes. The purpose of this study was to characterize the cardiorespiratory demands of female recreational Irish dancers. METHODS: Seven female dancers (35.8±9.6 y; 166.6±7.5 cm; 79.1±13.1 kg) volunteered for HR monitoring during three separate 45 min classes (n=16 measurements). Classes consisted of a mixture of HS and SS dancing. Three female dancers (28.0±13.9 y; 168.7±1.2 cm; 76.5±15.2 kg) volunteered for VO2 testing. Dancers completed a three minute reel and treble reel dances while wearing soft and hard shoes. Steady-state data were analyzed from the last 30 sec of the three minute dance test. The order of testing was randomized and the same piece of music was used for all dances. RESULTS: The mean HR for a class session was 128±14 bpm (69.7±9.3 %HRmax). The mean maximal HR achieved in class was 184±10 bpm (93.9±8.7 %HRmax). There was no significant (p<0.05) difference in VO2 (HS 23.33±7.51 ml/kg/min; SS 23.57±6.17 ml/kg/min), R-value (HS 1.31±0.05; SS 1.31±0.12), HR (HS 184.7±8.7 bpm; SS 185.0±2.0 bpm), or %HRmax (HS 96.3±3.2 %HRmax; SS 94.5±3.7 %HRmax) for HS and SS dance. CONCLUSIONS: The class data suggest that Irish dance classes are a moderate intensity activity with vigorous intensity intervals. Hard shoe and soft shoe Irish dance are physiologically demanding aerobic activities with anaerobic contribution. Despite differences in dance style these data suggest that there is no difference between the metabolic demands of HS and SS Irish dancing.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
