Does Regular Dancing Improve Static Balance?

Abstract

The aim of the study was to compare the static balance of dancers and non-dancers in a bipedal and unipedal stance. Twenty-three female dancers (mean age: 21.3 ± 1.7) and 24 age and sex-matched subjects (mean age 22.3 ± 1.0) participated in this study. A force platform was used to assess balance. The tests on the balance platform were performed in several positions with different foot placement, such as normal standing (NS) eyes open and eyes closed positions, semi-tandem position (ST), tandem position (TP), and one-leg standing (1L) eyes open and eyes closed position. Significant differences in balance between the dancers and the control group, especially in the tandem position and one-leg standing position with eyes closed were found. We observed higher results for the velocity of the COP in the frontal plane in the TP with a dominant limb in front (p = 0.04) and higher results for the velocity of the COP in the frontal plane (p = 0.01) and in the sagittal plane (p < 0.01) in the TP with a dominant limb in front in the control group. We also observed significant differences between groups in the mean velocity of COP sway in the sagittal plane in the 1 L position with eyes closed (p = 0.04). We concluded that dancing regularly for several years improves static balance.

The Influence of Gender and the Specificity of Sports Activities on the Performance of Body Balance for Students of the Faculty of Physical Education and Sports

“…Both categories of athletes have superior results in the evaluation with open eyes of groups of non-athletes, confirming the favorable effect of sport on postural stability [95]. Practicing regular dancing among Polish university students (seniority of at least 7 years, with 3 workouts per week/6-7 h cumulated) provides superior balance to those who are not engaged in physical activity by testing with eyes closed and open, in bipedal and unipedal support variants [96]. The comparison between dancers with seniority of over 7 years and non-dancing women (18-23 years old) identifies significant differences in static balance for dancers and an increased incidence of loss of balance for the other group, confirming the beneficial role of therapy through dance, as a way to prevent falls and injuries [97].…”

Impacto da dor cervical, da mobilidade e do índice de massa corporal no controle postural de professores

“…de manter o controle postural depende de fatores genéticos, idade, posicionamento do centro de massa, flexibilidade e controle visual 39 . A espuma utilizada nas avaliações é um fator externo que afeta o controle postural, ocasionando perturbações da postura, que necessitam ser neutralizadas por reações aos estímulos estabelecidos.…”

Impact of cervical pain, neck mobility, and body mass index on teachers’ postural control

“…Postural control depends on both internal and external factors, and the capacity to maintain postural control depends on genetic factors, age, positioning of the center of mass, flexibility, and visual control 39 . The foam used in the assessments is an external factor that affects postural control, disturbing the posture and requiring neutralizing reactions to the stimuli.…”