Abstract
Dancers endure training that results in an increased range of motion and flexibility. Such training can impact risk of injury and produce overall differences in movement. Despite these potential impacts, there is minimal research comparing landing mechanics between dancers and non-dancers. PURPOSE: To explore kinetic and kinematic differences between dancers and non-dancers when landing from a vertical jump. It was hypothesized that dancers would demonstrate greater peak ankle dorsiflexion and ankle net joint moments during landing compared to non-dancers. METHODS: A sample of ten dancers and nine non-dancers, all healthy females, were equipped with reflective markers and performed 5 vertical jumps while barefoot. Three-dimensional motion analysis was conducted using a 12-camera motion capture system and two force plates. Ground reaction forces, sagittal plane peak joint angles and net joint moments at the hip, knee, and ankle of the dominant leg were quantified using Cortex and Visual3D software. Independent t-tests were used to compare the dependent variables between groups (α≤0.05). RESULTS: There were no significant differences in jump height (t(17)=.414, p=.684) or peak vertical ground reaction force (t(17)=.113, p=.911) between dancers and nondancers. There were no significant differences in peak hip flexion (t(17)=.734, p=.473), knee flexion (t(17)=.699, p=.494)., ankle dorsiflexion (t(17)=.294, p=.772), or metatarsophalangeal joint excursion (t(17)=.483, p=.636) between dancers and nondancers There were no significant differences in hip (t(17)=-1.307, p=.209), knee (t(17)=-.127, p=.900), or ankle (t(17)=-.325, p=.749) net joint moments between dancers and nondancers. CONCLUSION: Contrary to our hypothesis, dancers did not demonstrate any significant differences in peak ground reaction forces, joint angles, or net joint moments during landing compared to non-dancers. Previous studies have shown greater use of the ankle joint by dancers during landings. It is possible that the squat jump chosen for analysis in this study did not result in different approaches to the jump performed by dancers and non-dancers. Further research is needed to determine whether different types of jumps or a different analysis approach would identify any differences in jump landings performed by dancers.
Recommended Citation
Reed, John; Idian, Jenelle; De La Cruz, Jasmin; Rodriguez, Andrea; Cunningham, Aysha W.; Tolentino, Ricardo; and Jarvis, Danielle
(2025)
"Landing Mechanic Differences between Dancers and Non-Dancers During Vertical Jumps,"
International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 14:
Iss.
5, Article 34.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol14/iss5/34
Included in
Health and Physical Education Commons, Medical Education Commons, Sports Sciences Commons