title: Effects of Latin style professional dance on the spinal posture and pelvic tilt.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Systematic repetition postures adopted during trainings could generate alterations in the sagittal spinal curvatures.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purposes were: 1) to analyse the sagittal spinal curvatures and pelvic tilt in Latin American style dancers; 2) to compare the spinal sagittal mobility and hamstring muscle extensibility between Latin American style dancers and non-dancers; and 3) to evaluate the influence of wearing dance shoes upon the sagittal spine posture in standing.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 20 Latin American style professional dancers and 20 non-dancers (control group) were evaluated during standing, relaxed sitting, maximal trunk flexion with knees flexed and extended, lying prone, and maximal trunk extension. Additionally, dancers were analysed while standing barefoot, and wearing heeled-shoes, during forward walking and the paso-doble posture. The hamstring muscle extensibility was evaluated by the active knee extension test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The spinal morphology in Latin American style professional dancers is characterised by lower thoracic kyphosis, lumbar lordosis and anterior pelvic tilt in the standing posture as well as a flexible spine, especially in flexion postures, in addition to suitable hamstring muscle extensibility.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The spinal morphology of Latin American style professional dancers is characterised by lower thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis and anterior pelvic tilt in the standing posture as well as a flexible spine, especially in flexion postures, and suitable hamstring muscle extensibility.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Kinesiology, Biomechanics and Ergonomics (KIBIOMER Lab), Faculty of Education Sciences, University of Almería, Almería, Spain.
authors.forename: José M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Muyor
authors.affiliation: Department of Sports Kinanthropology, Faculty of Physical Education and Sports, Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovakia.
authors.forename: Erika
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Zemková
authors.affiliation: Department of Gymnastics, Faculty of Physical Education and Sports, Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovakia.
authors.forename: Matej
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chren
mesh_terms: D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003615:Dancing / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D000070633:Hamstring Muscles / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007717:Knee; D007738:Kyphosis; D008141:Lordosis; D008297:Male; D011187:Posture; D016684:Prone Position; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D012775:Shoes; D013121:Spinal Curvatures; D013131:Spine / Q000502:physiology*; D060726:Torso / Q000502:physiology; D016138:Walking
keywords: Injury prevention; flexibility; spinal mouse system; sport techniques