title: Effect of leg length on ROM, VJ and leg dexterity in dance.
abstract: We investigated the associations between leg length and specific ballet movements in different skill groups. Volunteers were from an undergraduate dance programme (n=18), a pre-professional school (n=43) and from an elite classical ballet company (n=45). Individual data were collected for anthropometry, vertical jump, leg dexterity, and leg active and passive ROM. ANCOVA identified both main effects as significant with regard to vertical jump (gender P<0.001 and skill P=0.017); leg length was also identified as a significant covariate (P=0.023). Analysis of leg dexterity identified no significant effects with gender, skill or leg length. Active and passive range of motion noted gender (P=0.001) and skill (P<0.001) differences. Leg length was found to be negatively associated with both active and passive ROM (P=0.002). In conclusion, the present data highlight the diverse and conflicting effects of leg length on fundamental ballet skills. The longer legs that benefit vertical jump have a negative influence on range of motion and leg dexterity except for highly skilled dancers, who through skill, seem to have overcome the effects of some of these dichotomies.
authors.affiliation: School of Sport, Performing Arts and Leisure, Walsall, University of Wolverhampton, United Kingdom. m.wyon@wlv.ac.uk
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Wyon
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Nevill
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dekker
authors.forename: D D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Clarke
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pelly
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Koutedakis
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000886:Anthropometry; D003615:Dancing / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D008297:Male; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D055815:Young Adult