IADMS New York 2002   [back to the Category]

The Effects of Dance-Specific Exercise and Strength-Training on Hip and Thigh Muscles Function   [read the french version]

Author :   Yiannis Koutedakis, PhD & Al.

The Effects of Dance-Specific Exercise and
Strength-Training on Hip and Thigh Muscles Function

Yiannis Koutedakis, PhD
Thessaly University
Trikala, Greece
Wolverhampton University
Walsall, England

Constantin Bouziotas
Wolverhampton University
Walsall, England

It has been reported that unfavourable torque ratios (Koutedakis et al., 1997a) and/or inadequate torque levels (Koutedakis et al., 1997b) of selected hip and thigh muscles are associated with lower back and lower body injuries in dancers. The purpose of the present study was to examine whether a strength-training program for hamstring and quadriceps can prevent peak torque decrements of these muscles following a dance-specific exercise. 22 female dancers (25±1.3 years) volunteered. Isokinetic dynamometry (at the angular velocity of 1.04 rad.s-1) was employed before and after a specifically designed dance-test aiming to cause fatigue within 10 minutes. Procedures were repeated after a 3-month hamstring and quadriceps strength-training program where only about half of the subjects participated. The remaining dancers acted as controls. Prior to strength-training program, the dance-specific exercise led to significant decrements in hamstring (P<0.01 – P<0.001) and quadriceps (P<0.05) peak torque levels of both experimental subjects and their controls (Table 1). However, after the strength-training program, only the control subjects revealed significant decrements in their hamstring (P<0.005) and quadriceps (P<0.05) peak torques following the dance-specific exercise. This was attributed to significant increases in muscle performance shown by the experimental group. We concluded that: a) a strength-training program for hamstring and quadriceps can prevent significant peak torque decrements of these muscles following a dance-specific exercise, and b) dance and studio work alone is not enough to protect dancers from the deleterious effects of fatigue.

References:


1. Koutedakis Y, Frischknecht R, Murphy M: Knee flexion to extension peak torque ratios and low-back injuries in highly active individuals. Int J Sports Med 18(4): 291-296, 1997a.
2. Koutedakis Y, Khalouha M, Pacy PJ, Murphy M, Dunbar GMJ: Thigh peak torque and lower-body injuries in dancers. J Dance Med Sci 1(1): 12-15, 1997b.