Superior gait performance and balance ability in Latin dancers

Abstract

BackgroundLatin dance consists of various fast and stability-challenging movements that require constant body adjustments to maintain proper posture and balance. Although human gaits are assumed to be symmetrical, several factors can contribute to asymmetrical behavior of the lower extremities in healthy adults. These include lower limb dominance, ground reaction forces, lower limb muscle power, foot placement angle, and range of joint motion. Gait impairment can lead to a high risk of falling, diminished mobility, and even cognition impairment. We hypothesized that Latin dancers might have a more symmetric gait pattern and better balance ability than healthy non-dancer controls.MethodsWe investigated the impact of Latin dance training on gait behaviors and body balance. We recruited twenty Latin dancers and 22 normal healthy subjects to conduct walking experiments and one-leg stance tests, and we measured their kinematic data by inertial measurement units. We then defined four performance indexes to assess gait performance and body stability to quantify the potential advantages of dance training.ResultsWe found that the two gait asymmetric indexes during the walking test and the two performance indexes during the one-leg stance tests were better in Latin dancers compared with the healthy control group. The results confirmed the superiority of Latin dancers over the healthy control group in gait symmetry and balance stability. Our results suggest that Latin dancing training could effectively strengthen lower limb muscles and core muscle groups, thereby improving coordination and enhancing gait performance and balance.ConclusionLatin dance training can benefit gait performance and body balance. Further studies are needed to investigate the effect of Latin dance training on gait and balance outcomes in healthy subjects and patients with gait disorders.

Biomechanical Analysis of Latin Dancers’ Lower Limb during Normal Walking

“…The experiment was divided into three distinct parts to systematically assess various aspects of the participants' lower extremity biomechanics. (1) The participants engaged in a 10 min warm-up session, which involved jogging at a speed of 8 km/h. This warm-up not only prepared the participants physically but also allowed them to acclimatize and familiarize themselves with the experimental environment and become familiar with the experimental procedures.…”

“…With the evolution of Latin dance, an increasing number of scholars have taken interest in its significance. Research has revealed that Latin dance influences dancers' gait patterns and enhances their balance [1][2][3]. The achievement of good balance in dancers relies on the coordination of the somatosensory, visual, and vestibular systems [4,5].…”

“…To investigate this, researchers conducted a meticulous comparison of muscle strength tests and postural balance assessments between older LDs and older NDs, ultimately revealing the older LD group's commendable superiority in performance [2,14]. Furthermore, although limited in scope, research has provided compelling evidence that LDs showcase enhanced balance and gait performance when compared to NDs [1][2][3]15]. The assessment of balance of the subjects involved the collection of kinematic data through one-legged stance tests, where a smaller range of motion during the test indicated better balance (necessitating less movement to maintain balance) [1].…”

“…Furthermore, although limited in scope, research has provided compelling evidence that LDs showcase enhanced balance and gait performance when compared to NDs [1][2][3]15]. The assessment of balance of the subjects involved the collection of kinematic data through one-legged stance tests, where a smaller range of motion during the test indicated better balance (necessitating less movement to maintain balance) [1]. Moreover, dynamic data derived from measuring dancers' muscle strength plays a crucial role in assessing their balance.…”

Exploring biomechanical variations in ankle joint injuries among Latin dancers with different stance patterns: utilizing OpenSim musculoskeletal models

“…Nevertheless, in recent years, more and more researchers have shifted their focus towards Latin dance. Some studies suggest that Latin dance can enhance body balance ( Kiliç and Nalbant, 2022 ; Liu et al, 2022 ), further highlighting its potential for rehabilitative interventions in individuals with Parkinson’s disease ( Hulbert et al, 2017 ; Ismail et al, 2021 ). Despite its benefits for balance improvement, the intricate movements involved in Latin dance also present a notable risk of ankle injuries.…”