Body asymmetries in dancers of different dance disciplines / Asimetrías corporales en bailarines de diferentes disciplinas de baile

SUMMARY: Dance is an attractive sport discipline in which participation is increasing every year, unfortunately, the prevalence of injuries is also increasing. Various dance disciplines and dance techniques require body control, often in extreme anatomical positions that place a heavy strain on the musculoskeletal system. The aim of this research was to analyze body asymmetries of four different dance disciplines (standard and Latin American dance - STLA, acrobatic rock and roll - RNR, breakdance - BD and hip hop - HH), by using anthropometric (InBody 720; Biospace Co., Ltd) and 3D body measurements (NX-16; TC2) to establish possible later discomforts and injuries. T-test was performed to find differences between left and right extremities in all four dance disciplines. Results of the study showed that asymmetries are present in all of the studied dance disciplines. When comparing dance disciplines, we found out that STLA dancers are the most prone to develop body asymmetries (six out of nine paired variables), mainly because of the closed position. The position itself is the asymmetry and in which dancers remain for a very long time while training the technique of each dance. As dance is known for its asymmetrical movement of the body and it is expected that some of the asymmetries will appear after a few years of training. For a better understanding of possible consequences of asymmetries in dancers' bodies, further and more detailed analysis within each dance discipline is required.

RESUMEN: El baile es una disciplina deportiva atractiva cuya participación aumenta cada año, sin embargo también aumenta la prevalencia de lesiones. Varias disciplinas de baile y las técnicas de baile requieren el control del cuerpo en posiciones anatómicas extremas las cuales ejercen una gran presión sobre el sistema musculoesquelético. El objetivo de esta investigación fue analizar las asimetrías corporales de cuatro disciplinas de baile diferentes (baile estándar y latinoamericano - STLA, rock and roll acrobático - RNR, breakdance - BD y hip hop - HH), utilizando técnicas antropométricas (InBody 720; Biospace Co., Ltd) y mediciones corporales en 3D (NX-16; TC2) para establecer posibles molestias y lesiones posteriores. Se realizó la prueba T para determinar diferencias entre los miembros izquierdo y derecho en las cuatro disciplinas de baile. Los resultados de este estudio mostraron que las asimetrías se encontraron en todas las disciplinas de baile. Al comparar las disciplinas de baile, descubrimos que los bailarines de STLA son los más propensos a desarrollar asimetrías corporales (seis de nueve variables pareadas), principalmente debido a la posición cerrada. La posición en sí es asimétrica y en la que los bailarines permanecen durante mucho tiempo mientras entrenan la técnica de cada baile. Como el baile es conocido por el movimiento asimétrico del cuerpo, es posible que algunas de las asimetrías aparezcan después de algunos años de entrenamiento. Se requiere un análisis más profundo y detallado dentro de cada disciplina de danza para una mejor comprensión de las posibles consecuencias de las asimetrías en los cuerpos de los bailarines.

Associated factors and profile of injuries in professional ballroom dancers in Brazil: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Aims: Ballroom dance consists of a modality characterized by fast and dynamic movements performed in pairs, aiming at technical and artistic excellence. Objective: To analyze the prevalence, characteristics, and factors associated with injuries in professional ballroom dancers, considering possible differences between sexes. Method: 320 professional dancers of both sexes with a mean age of 31.48±8.63 years, who were in professional companies and/or dance schools from five regions of Brazil. The measurement was performed through an online self-administered questionnaire about general information and injuries. Results: A high frequency of musculoskeletal injuries (80.0%) was observed, especially osteoarticular ones (52.4%). In women, the lower limbs were the anatomical location most reported (31.1%) and the knee in male dancers (28.7%). Overweight men, with more than 11 years of dance practice, who danced in companies and also performed other physical activities, were more likely to have injuries. However, women were less likely to have injuries when they were overweight and more likely when they practiced other dance modalities besides ballroom dancing. Conclusions: Approximately 64.1% of ballroom dancers suffered an injury throughout their professional careers. For men, being overweight as well as the search for complementary activities to the physical training routine for both sexes, seem to influence the occurrence of injuries. Identification of the factors associated with injuries in ballroom dancers contributes both to preventive actions and to rehabilitation processes, favoring a healthy and safe career for professionals involved in this practice.

Análise do equilíbrio dinâmico em praticantes de balé clássico, de dança de salão e de não praticantes de dança / Analysis of dynamic balance in practitioners of classical ballet, of ballroom and non-practitioners of dance

O presente estudo analisou o equilíbrio dinâmico de praticantes de balé clássico, de dança de salão e de não praticantes de dança. Participaram do estudo 48 indivíduos entre 16 e 30 anos, divididos em 3 grupos: Balé (GB), Dança de Salão (GS) e Controle (GC). Os participantes realizaram a tarefa de manter-se em equilíbrio sobre uma plataforma instável, em 3 tentativas, durante 10 segundos, em cada uma das bases de apoio: pés paralelos (PP), semi-tandem (ST), unipodal com o pé direito (UD) e unipodal com o pé esquerdo (UE). Houve melhor desempenho no equilíbrio dinâmico para GS, em comparação ao GB e ao GC. Ademais, o GS e GC demonstraram piores desempenhos em bases de apoio mais restritas, enquanto, o GB não demonstrou efeito da redução na base de apoio. Tais resultados foram explicados pelas características específicas das práticas fornecidas pelas modalidades de dança de salão e balé.

The present study analyzed the dynamic balance of practitioners of classical ballet, of ballroom dancing and non-practitioners of dance. The study included 48 subjects, age between 16 and 30 years old, divided into three groups: Ballet (GB), Ballroom Dancing (GS) and Control (GC). The subjects performed a task which consisted to remain in balance on an unstable platform in three attempts for 10 seconds in each of the following conditions: feet parallel (PP), semi-tandem (ST), unipedal on the right foot (UD) and unipedal on the left foot (UE). Data demonstrated better dynamic equilibrium for GS, compared to GB and GC. Moreover, GS and GC showed worse balancing in constrained bases of supports. While the GB showed no effect on balance with the decrease on support base. These results were explained by the specific characteristics of the practices provided by the modalities of dance and ballet.

Dança de salão: repercussões nas atividades de vida diária / Ballroom dancing: repercussions to daily activities of elderly people

Trata-se de estudo descritivo objetivando: evidenciar os motivos que levam pessoas da terceira idade a praticar a dança de salão; conhecer, a partir dos discursos de pessoas da terceira idade, os efeitos da prática da dança de salão nas atividades de vida diária. Foi realizado numa escola de dança de salão conceituada em Fortaleza-CE, que trabalha com a terceira idade. Participaram da pesquisa treze (13) mulheres com idade mínima de 60 anos, praticantes da dança de salão. Para coleta de dados utilizou-se a entrevista estruturada focalizada gravada, durante o período de 05/05 a 05/06 de 2004. Constatou-se que a dança de salão é uma atividade física prazerosa e motivante, que auxilia pessoas a melhorar sua qualidade de vida e seu desempenho nas AVD?s, dando-lhes autonomia e prevenindo doenças causadas pela inatividade física. Os resultados sugerem que os indivíduos praticantes da dança de salão melhoraram os aspectos físicos, psíquicos e sociais, o que possibilita concluir que a prática da dança de salão tem preservado e melhorado as capacidades funcionais, a auto-estima e a socialização das pessoas da terceira idade, que é fundamental para a realização eficiente das tarefas vivenciais, facilitando o cotidiano dessas pessoas, que buscam permanentemente a emancipação.

This article refers to a descriptive study that aimed at: to investigate the reasons that make elderly people practice ballroom dancing; to know from those people?s speech the effects of the practice of the ballroom dancing in the daily activities of elderly people. It took place at an well appraised school of ballroom dancing in the city of Fortaleza, which works with people in advanced age. Thirteen women with minimum age of 60, who practice ballroom dancing participated regularly in the research. A structured, focalized and recorded interview was used to collect the data, during the period from 05/05 to 05/06 of 2004. It was verified that ballroom dancing is a pleasant and exciting physical activity, that aids people to improve their quality of life and their performance in daily activities, giving them autonomy, preventing diseases caused by sedentarism. It was concluded that individuals who practise ballroom dancing have had improved their physical, psychic and social aspects; what makes possible to infer that the practice of the ballroom dancing has been preserving and improving the functional capacities, the self-esteem and the socialization of aged people, which is fundamental for the efficient accomplishment of the everyday tasks of those, who permanently look for emancipation.