title: Development, validity, and reliability of a ballet-specific aerobic fitness test.
abstract: The aim of this study was to develop and assess the reliability and validity of a multi-stage, ballet-specific aerobic fitness test to be used in a dance studio setting. The test consists of five stages, each four minutes long, that increase in intensity. It uses classical ballet movement  of an intermediate-level of difficulty, thus emphasizing physiological demand rather than skill. The demand of each stage was determined by calculating the mean oxygen uptake during its final minute using a portable gas analyser. After an initial familiarization period, eight female subjects  performed the test twice within seven days. The results showed significant differences in oxygen consumption between stages (p < 0.001), but not between trials. Pearson correlation co-efficients produced a very good linear relationship between trials (r = 0.998, p < 0.001). Bland-Altman  reliability analysis revealed the 95% limits of agreement to be ± 6.2 ml·kg(-1)·min(-1), showing good agreement between trials. The oxygen uptake in our subjects equated positively to previous estimates for class and performance, confirming  validity. It was concluded that the test is suitable for use among classical ballet dancers, with many possible applications.
authors: Research Centre for Sport, Exercise and Performance, University of Wolverhampton, Walsall, UK. emilytwitchett@gmail.com
authors: Emily
authors: E
authors: Twitchett
authors: Alan
authors: A
authors: Nevill
authors: Manuela
authors: M
authors: Angioi
authors: Yiannis
authors: Y
authors: Koutedakis
authors: Matthew
authors: M
authors: Wyon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002320:Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena; D003615:Dancing / Q000502:physiology*; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology*; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology*; D010809:Physical Fitness; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012143:Respiratory Physiological Phenomena; D013178:Sports Medicine / Q000379:methods*