title: Differences of ballet turns (pirouette) performance between experienced and novice ballet dancers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study investigated the different postural control strategies exhibited by experienced and novice dancers in ballet turns (pirouettes).
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirteen novice and 13 experienced dancers performed ballet turns with dominant-leg support. The peak push force was measured in the double-leg support phase. The inclination angles of rotation axis with respect to vertical axis were calculated in the early single-leg support phase as well as the initiation sequence of ankle, knee, and hip joints on the supporting leg. Moreover, the anchoring index of the head was computed in the transverse plane during turning.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The novice dancers applied a greater push force, an increased inclination angle of rotation axis, and an insufficient proximal-to-distal extension sequence pattern. The novice dancers also had a smaller head-anchoring index compared with experienced dancers, which meant novice dancers were not using a space target as a stability reference.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A poorer performance in novice dancers could result from higher push force in propulsion, lack of a "proximal-to-distal extension sequence" pattern, and lack of visual spotting for postural stability. Training on sequential initiation of lower-extremity joints and rehearsal of visual spotting are essential for novice dancers to obtain better performance on ballet turns.
authors.affiliation: a National Cheng Kung University.
authors.forename: Chia-Wei
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Shing-Jye
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Fong-Chin
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Su
authors.forename: Hong-Wen
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Cheng-Feng
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Lin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena / Q000502:physiology; D002648:Child; D003615:Dancing / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007596:Joints / Q000502:physiology; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000502:physiology; D008954:Models, Biological; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology; D012399:Rotation
keywords: anchoring index; ground reaction force; rotation axis; sequential pattern