The Development and Validation of a Functional Capacity Test for Dancers

Abstract

A peak functional capacity test that is incremental in nature, varying in intensity, and includes movements familiar to dancers is a necessary and important addition to the dance specific fitness tests in the current literature. PURPOSE: To design and validate a peak functional capacity test that is appropriate in time, intensity, and movement specificity to the dancer. METHODS: The Seifert Assessment of Functional Capacity for Dancers (SAFD) was developed using previous valid and reliable functional capacity protocols, published research in dance specific fitness tests, and consult with content experts. Final test parameters included 3 min. stages of increasing intensity utilizing both speed and difficultly of movements, continued until exhaustion. Following pilot testing, a survey of content experts supported the validity of the SAFD. Female dancers (N = 13) completed a total of four separate sessions, a familiarization trial of the SAFD, SAFD trial 1, a peak treadmill test, and SAFD trial 2. Each test measured time to exhaustion, peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak), respiratory exchange ratio (RER), heart rate (HR), blood lactate (BLa-), and rate of perceived exertion (RPE). Tests were terminated upon volitional exhaustion or a total of three cues regarding poor movement quality or inability to keep pace with the metronome. Interclass Correlation Coefficients were used to assess reliability, while validity was analyzed using Pearson Product Moment Correlations. RESULTS: Strong correlations (≥.7) were found between time to exhaustion, VO2peak, HR and RPE between SAFD trials. No significant (p > .05) differences existed in any of the physiological variables between the SAFD trials. Significant (p < .05) relationships were found between time to exhaustion, VO2peak, HR, BLa-, and RPE between the SAFD and the treadmill test. CONCLUSION: The strength of key physiological correlations of time to exhaustion, VO2peak, HR, and RPE provide strong evidence for the SAFD being both reliable and valid. Although the threshold value for correlation was not met in neither RER nor BLa-, results do present a particularly meaningful set of values to the physiology practitioner and thus, further support the conclusion that the SAFD is both a reliable and valid method of assessing peak functional capacity in the dance population.