title: Anthropometry and somatotypes of competitive DanceSport participants: a comparison of three different styles.
abstract: Anthropometry in dance and aesthetic sports has been shown to play an important role in selection and performance criteria. The aim of the present study was to examine variations in somatotype and anthropometry in three different competitive dance styles: DanceSport Standard, Latin American and Ten Dance. Anthropometry and somatotype data were collected from thirty couples competing in Standard (n=24 individuals), Latin American (n=14) and Ten Dance (n=22) styles. A single tester (ISAK Level 1) carried out all anthropometric measurements using the Heath-Carter protocol and somatotypes were calculated using the Heath-Carter's decimal equations. Results indicated that the mean somatotype for the male dancers was 2.4-3.9-3.2, whilst for females it was 2.7-2.7-3.5. Factorial analysis reported Standard dancers scored significantly higher for ectomorphy, sitting height and arm span than Latin dancers (p<0.05). Correlation analysis with the Standard dancer's International Ranking highlighted moderate positive correlation with mesomorphy (r=0.434, p<0.05) and negative correlation with ectomorphy (r=-0.546, p<0.001). The findings of this study show that somatotypes differ among DanceSport participants by dance style. Compared with other aesthetic sports, male and female dancers were less mesomorphic and more ectomorphic. Standard dancers tend to be more ectomorphic with greater height, longer arm span and greater sitting height compared with Latin American dancers. Although Standard dancers were ectomorphic, those dancers who had higher mesomorphic ranking had higher places in the dancers' international ranking.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Exercise and Sport Sciences, University of Tartu, Jakobi 5, Tartu 51014, Estonia. Electronic address: liivhelena@gmail.com.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Liiv
authors.affiliation: Research Centre for Sport, Exercise and Performance, University of Wolverhampton, Gorway Road, Walsall WS1 3BD, UK; National Institute of Dance Medicine and Science, Thorp Street, Birmingham B5 4AU, UK.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wyon
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Exercise and Sport Sciences, University of Tartu, Jakobi 5, Tartu 51014, Estonia.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Jürimäe
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Exercise and Sport Sciences, University of Tartu, Jakobi 5, Tartu 51014, Estonia.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Purge
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Exercise and Sport Sciences, University of Tartu, Jakobi 5, Tartu 51014, Estonia.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Saar
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Exercise and Sport Sciences, University of Tartu, Jakobi 5, Tartu 51014, Estonia.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mäestu
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Exercise and Sport Sciences, University of Tartu, Jakobi 5, Tartu 51014, Estonia.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jürimäe
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000886:Anthropometry / Q000379:methods; D054874:Athletic Performance; D003615:Dancing; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013008:Somatotypes; D055815:Young Adult