In examining trunk and lower extremity muscle usage during a functional dance motion, the researchers used surface EMG electrodes and force plates to study beginner, intermediate-level, and advanced dancers as they performed a grand battement devant at the barre, in center, and while traveling. The researchers had two hypotheses: (1) that trunk and lower extremity muscle use would differ between the 3 conditions (stationary with support, stationary without support, and while moving), and (2) that muscle activation levels would differ by training/experience level of dancers. The movement of the grand battement devant was broken down into 4 distinct phases (or “events”): stance, initiation of movement, peak of movement, and end of motion.
There were a plethora of significant differences in this observational study. Consistent with other literature, the dancers in this study had high levels of quadriceps activation, even while simply standing in first position. The authors point out that, for all muscles examined in this study, dancers in all training levels exhibited the same the overall pattern of changes in muscle activation from barre to center to traveling. Interestingly, across all events studied, intermediate-level dancers used the lowest percentage of maximum muscle activation for nearly all muscles. Advanced dancers used the highest percentage and beginning dancers were in between the two groups. The results of this study indicate that traveling uses the amount and pattern of muscle activation unique to dance (as opposed to stationary work). It is important for medical professionals rehabilitating a dancer’s injury to devote enough time to traveling-based exercises to adequately prepare the dancer for safe return to full performance.
Krasnow D, Ambegaonkar JP, Wilmerding V, et al. Electromyographic comparison of grand battement devant at the barre, in the center, and traveling. Med Probl Perform Art 2012:27(3):143-155.
No comments:
Post a Comment