title: A kinematic approach to calculating ground reaction forces in dance.
abstract: A technique that can be used with dancers for the calculation of ground reaction forces in the absence of force plates is described. The ground reaction forces are required for analyzing potentially injurious activity within the dancer's body. However, the use of a force plate for this  purpose disrupts the performance surface and could, due to its stiffness, in itself lead to injury. This technical report provides an indication that a technique utilizing kinematic calculations of ground reaction forces in dancers offers a viable alternative. The kinematic calculations technique  is suitable for use across large performance surfaces, including sprung floors. In this preliminary study, it is validated against force plate output using data from a single dancer and is extended to consider tuning of the generic mass distribution model to improve accuracy in the calculation  of ground reaction forces.
authors.affiliation: Department of Industrial Design, Coventry University, Coventry CV1 5FB, UK. j.shippen@coventry.ac.uk
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shippen
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: May
mesh_terms: D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D003615:Dancing / Q000293:injuries* / Q000502:physiology*; D005430:Floors and Floorcoverings; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology