Study of the Body Dimensions of Elite Professional Ballet Dancers
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View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE Documento descargado de http://www.apunts.org el 25/01/2011. Copia para uso personal, se prohíbe la transmisión de este documento por cualquier medio o formato. provided by Revistes Catalanes amb Accés Obert 3 ORIGINAL ARTICLES Study of the body dimensions of elite professional ballet dancers HAMLET BETANCOURT LEÓNa, JULIETA ARÉCHIGA VIRAMONTESb, CARLOS MANUEL RAMÍREZ GARCÍAc AND MARIA ELENA DÍAZ SÁNCHEZd aAutonomous Metropolitan University. Iztapalapa Unit. México. bInstitute of Anthropological Research. UNAM. Mexico. bNational Technical Institute. Mexico. cInstitute of Nutrition and Food Hygiene. Cuba. ABstract RESUMEN The similarities and differences in the body dimensions of a Las diferencias o similitudes referidas a los tamaños absolu- group of ballet dancers compared with those of modern or tos de un grupo de bailarines de ballet frente a bailarines de folklore dances are indicators of corporal heterogeneity or danza moderna y folclórica son indicadores de variabilidad homogeneity and of the spatial volume occupied by a group o de la homogeneidad corporal y de la expresión del volu- of dancers. The present study aimed to analyze the kinan- men espacial que ocupa un grupo de danzantes. Este traba- thropometric similarities and differences among elite pro- jo se propuso analizar las similitudes y las diferencias ci- fessional ballet dancers compared with modern and folk- neantropométricas de los tamaños absolutos entre los lore dancers. The anthropometric profiles of dancers from bailarines profesionales de elite de ballet respecto a los de the National Ballet, National Dance and National Folkloric danza moderna y folclórica. Se estudiaron antropométrica- companies in Cuba were determined. Following the selec- mente bailarines de las compañías Ballet Nacional, Danza tion criteria of expert teachers on figure and technical-ar- Nacional y Folclórico Nacional de Cuba. Siguiendo el crite- tistic performance, the best dancers, aged between 18 and rio de selección de los maestros, en cuanto a figura y de- 40 years, were measured. To determine body dimensions, an sempeño técnico artístico, se midieron los mejores bailari- anthropometric protocol of 16 measurements was applied. nes de cada compañía, con edades entre 18 y 40 años. Para There was lesser variability in stature in both male and fe- determinar los tamaños absolutos se aplicó un protocolo male ballet dancers than in modern and folklore dancers. antropométrico de 16 mediciones. Se obtuvo una variabili- Female ballet dancers occupied a smaller physical space dad de la estatura reducida en los bailarines de ballet de than female modern and folklore dancers, while male folk- ambos sexos respecto a los de danza moderna y folclórica. lore dancers occupied a larger physical space than male La bailarina de ballet ocupó un espacio físico menor que la ballet dancers. The differences found among the three kinds bailarina de danza moderna y folclórica, en tanto que los of dancers revealed greater corporal homogeneity among varones de danza folclórica ocuparon un volumen mayor en ballet dancers. el espacio físico que los de ballet. Las diferencias cuantifica- das entre los tres tipos de bailarines refieren una homoge- neidad corporal mayor para los de ballet. KEY WORDS: Somatology. Kinanthropometry. Body di- PALABRAS CLAVE: Somatología. Cineantropometría. mensions. Tamaños absolutos. Article history: Received: 27 March 2008 / Accepted: 1 January 2009. How to quote this article: Betancourt León H, Aréchiga Viramontesa J, Ramírez García CM, Díaz Sánchez ME. Estudio de los tamaños absolutos de bailarines profesionales de elite de ballet. Apunts Med Esport. 2009;161:3-9. Correspondence to: Hamlet Betancourt León ([email protected]). APUNTS MED ESPORT. 2009;161:3-9 Documento descargado de http://www.apunts.org el 25/01/2011. Copia para uso personal, se prohíbe la transmisión de este documento por cualquier medio o formato. 4 ORIGINAL ARTICLES INTRODUCTION folklore dance group should be studied as indicators of variability or physical homogeneity and of the space occupied Expert dance teachers empirically describe the by a group of dancers. morphofunctional similarities and differences between ballet The empirical evidence of greater morphological linearity dancers and modern and folklore dancers. The degree to which in ballet dancers is directly linked to being narrower in size these differences manifest themselves, rather than the numerous compared to dancers from other disciplines. Consequently, the physical similarities, is fundamental, as these differences allow question “Do ballet dancers have narrower measurements than us to identify and empirically define dancers from one style of modern and folklore dancers?” is a pertinent one given that it dancing or another. The dancer’s morphofunctional differences links a specific trend with significant empirical evidence are also the physical manifestation of the selection processes, regarding the qualitative assessment of aesthetic standards. training and professional performance associated with each The length values (height, sitting height, arm length) dance style. express the vertical dimensions of the dancer, while the All aspiring dance students must undergo an initial relationship between these values and the transverse body morphofunctional assessment and are classified depending on dimensions indicates greater or lesser morphological linearity the final mark.1 The morphofunctional assessment does not for the dancer. specify the differences between modern or folklore dancers Elite dancers should physically be very similar or the same compared with ballet dancers. as they represent an aesthetic standard on stage that is limited The type of technical-artistic work that students and in range, with a maximum of one or two options for each professional dancers do depends on the style of dance.2 The element that defines it. However, modern and folklore dancers specific training involved is reflected in the morphofunctional exhibit a wider variability of body types considered aesthetically changes that a dancer experiences during his/her professional beautiful for artistic expression of dance movements. This education3-5 which are observed by teachers from the field of raises the following question: “Are ballet dancers more dance who are responsible for producing professional elite homogenous in their body dimensions than modern and dancers that are morphofunctionally different depending on folklore dancers?” The answer to this question would throw the style of dance they specialise in. The training programs light on the types of differences that exist between the groups have different technical objectives that specifically mould the and the extent to which they are apparent. shape and volume of the soft tissues and the growth of bone The aim of this study is to analyse the kinanthropometric segments.6-8 similarities and differences of the body dimensions of elite The fundamental role of the dance teacher in the selection, professional ballet dancers compared with modern and folklore training and professional development of the dancer is to dancers. ensure that the morphofunctional differences are compatible with the aesthetic standard set and the technical-artistic level of MATERIALS AND METHODS performance associated with each style of dancing. Unlike the ballet teacher’s qualitative morphofunctional Cross-sectional studies were carried out on professional assessment, the kinanthropometric analysis of a ballet dancer Cuban ballet dancers from the BNC, DNC and CNF. Expert should examine the extent of the morphofunctional similarities dance teachers selected the best dancers from each company and differences with regard to other dance styles. Only with according to aesthetic standards and technical-artistic this information will it be possible to reliably judge the performance, and the kinanthropometric study was carried out kinanthropometric characteristics of professional ballet dancers. in these subjects (table I.) This leads to the following question: “Which morphofunctional This was done in accordance with the applicable ethical characteristics differentiate ballet dancers from modern and principles (Declaration of Helsinki 1975) that provide guidance folklore dancers?” This question can only be answered from a in medical research involving human beings. The subjects were kinanthropometric perspective by assessing each element informed of the objectives of the study and written consent to separately, given that the methods used in different studies do participate was obtained. not permit a holistic analysis.9,10 The anthropometric measurements were obtained using The similarities or differences of the body dimensions of a the standardised procedures established by Lohman et al in group of ballet dancers compared with those of a modern and 1988.11 The anthropometric data set used was made up of 16 APUNTS MED ESPORT. 2009;161:3-9 Documento descargado de http://www.apunts.org el 25/01/2011. Copia para uso personal, se prohíbe la transmisión de este documento por cualquier medio o formato. 5 ORIGINAL ARTICLES In height, female ballet dancers presented a small standard Table I Dancers studied from each professional dance company deviation and a smaller range of variation (9.5cm) in comparison with modern and folklore dancers. The majority of female Sample size ballet dancers fall within the 160.0-164.0cm height interval. Professional company Female