BALANCE ABILITIES OF PROFESSIONAL DANCERS ON SELECT BALANCE TESTS

Documentation that dancers have better balance abilities than nondance rs is important because of the number of dancers who sustain injury an d then are referred to physical therapists for treatment. The purpose of this study was to compare balance abilities of professional dancers with nondancers on selected balance conditions. Fifteen dancers and 1 5 age- and gender-matched nondancers maintained one-legged stance unde r six combinations of visual and support surface conditions (Foam and Dome Test modified from two feet to one foot). Each condition was main tained for 30 seconds. A composite balance score was obtained for each subject by summing the number of seconds the individual maintained ba lance for each test condition. There was a significant difference in t he mean composite balance score (across the six balance conditions) fo r the dance group compared with the control group (731 seconds and 563 seconds, respectively). Under sensory challenged conditions, it appea red that dancers were better able to maintain their postures upright a gainst gravity. The balance strategies and techniques learned by profe ssional dancers should be carefully analyzed to determine if they coul d be incorporated into treatment programs for nondancers who have bala nce instability and dancers who are injured.