Perceptions and Utilization of Strength Training and Conditioning in Collegiate Contemporary and Ballet Dancers: A Qualitative Approach.

AIMS: Research demonstrates that dancers benefit from reduced injury risk and improved health by engaging in strength training and conditioning (STC). Historic bias within the discipline of dance, however, establishes a long-standing stigma that gains in muscle mass and strength lessen a dancer's aesthetic appearance, and thus many dancers rebuff STC as a supplement to dance training. However, there is growing evidence that dancers and dance educators are beginning to under¬stand the importance of additional resistance training and cardiovascular conditioning. This study explored dancers' perceptions and utilization of STC using a general qualitative approach. METHODS: Twenty-three female collegiate dancers (13 contemporary dancers, 10 ballet dancers, mean age 19.95 ± 0.97 yrs) volunteered to participate in this study. The principal investigator conducted individual, semi-structured interviews. RESULTS: Inductive analysis revealed three major themes: 1) evolving body image, 2) motivation, and 3) education. Trustworthiness was established using member checks, peer debriefing, and journaling. This study concluded collegiate dancers utilized STC as a means to enhance the individual's body image. This was driven by a continuum of motivating factors. Although collegiate dancers are utilizing STC, education on STC techniques and practices was minimal. CONCLUSIONS: While further research is needed, results from this study suggest STC could be initiated and promoted in the discipline of dance to further enhance physical fitness and general well-being. Dancers and dance instructors should receive education about the importance of STC within dance training as well as how to safely implement STC exercise into training regimens.

Ground Reaction Forces in Ballet Differences Resulting from Footwear and Jump Conditions.

In the research devoted to ballet, ground reaction force (GRF) and shoe condition have been identified as possible risk factors for injury. Shoe conditions vary immensely between dancers and could indeed have significant impact on biomechanics and injury rates. Therefore, the objectives of this study were: 1. to investigate the maximal ground reaction force (GRFmax) when ballet dancers land from two jump conditions in pointe shoes, in flat technique shoes, and barefoot; and 2. to explore the effects that specific pointe shoe characteristics (shoe age, shank style) have on GRFmax. Twenty-one healthy female ballet majors in an elite college program volunteered for the study. All participants had similar years of classical ballet training (12.85 ± 2.37). For the study, they performed two ballet jumps, assemblé and grand jeté. Each jump was performed in the three shoe conditions mentioned previously. A total of 18 trials per subject were completed, with the order of jump type and shoe condition randomized. Each jump was landed on a force plate, and maximal GRFs were recorded. A repeated measures analysis of variance was calculated with two within subject factors, shoe type at three levels and jump type at two levels. Tukey's post hoc test was applied to significant findings. Alpha level was set a priori at p = 0.05. Results demonstrated no significant differences in GRFmax between the three shoe conditions; however, significant differences in GRFmax between the jump types were identified. Post-hoc testing revealed that when dancers performed the grand jeté jump, higher GRFmax was obtained compared to the assemblé jump. In conclusion, results of this study indicate that GRFmax varies between ballet jumps; however, it does not appear that shoe condition significantly affects GRFmax.