Document Type
Article
Publication Date
Spring 2024
Abstract
Background: Studies have shown a lack of definitive findings examining postural control amongst dominant and non-dominant stance limbs. Neuromuscular training may have limb dependent impacts and is a possible contributor across dance training, other athlete training, and active population members. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare postural control between dominant and nondominant single limb stances in trained dancers and compare those results with the single limb postural control of recreationally active college females. Methods: The study recruited 18 participants who met the set criteria for one of two groups: recreationally active females (N=10) and female dancers (N=8). Participants were instructed to stand still for 30 seconds on a TekScan Standing Balance Mat (SB mat) in a two feet condition and one-foot stances for both dominant and non-dominant limbs. Using a counterbalance design, participants completed three standing trials in each of the three conditions: two feet, dominant one-foot stances, and non-dominant one-foot stance. The variables measured included: center of gravity (COG) Area, COG Distance, COG Anterior-posterior sway, and COG Left-right sway. Results: The results found that there were statistically significant differences found between the two-feet and one-foot stances, with all four variables measured having p-values of <0.0001. The COG-Area between dancers and recreationally active females was found to have a p-value of 0.070 and was the closest value to significance but did not meet the p<0.05 level. Conclusion: Although statistical significance was found between two-feet and one-foot stances, the data did not find statistically significant data to support that female dancers have better postural control compared to recreationally active females across the four measured variables.
Recommended Citation
Griffith, Mackenzie, "Right, Left, Right: Dance Training Impacts on Postural Control" (2024). Longwood Senior Theses. 34.
https://digitalcommons.longwood.edu/senior_theses/34
