Relationship between Core Strength, Core Endurance and Balance in Folk Dancers – A Pilot Study

Abstract

Background: Dance performance requires lower extremity muscle strength and endurance, sufficientcore stabilization, dynamic balance during dance movements. Diminished core strength and coreendurance has been shown lead to a higher incidence of lower extremity injuries and to low backinjuries. Greater core muscle strength, increased core endurance and good dynamic balance havebeen reported to be associated with reduced lower extremity injury risk. Still, the exact relationshipsamong these factors remain unclear. Most of studies have examined ballet and modern dancers but folkdance is not studied adequately in the literature as different genres of dance have different physicaldemands, it is important to examine whether the relationships among Core stability, balance, injuries,and performance are similar across the various dance genres.Objectives: Weak core and poor balance are said to be associated with lower limb and low back injuries.Thus the correlation between core stabilization and balance need to be evaluated in details to reducethe risk of injuries.Methods: It is a cross-sectional observational study, with a total of 30 folk dancers. Core endurancewas measured by using plank tests and core strength was measured by the Bent Knee Lowering Test(BKLT).Balance was measured via the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) which was co-related withcore strength and core endurance.Conclusion: There is no correlation between core strength and balance in folk dancers. Core enduranceis weakly correlated with balance.