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Research paper thumbnail of Integrative dance to improve physical function for people with developmental disabilities

Participants with developmental and intellectual disabilities participated in an integrative danc... more Participants with developmental and intellectual disabilities participated in an integrative dance class, two times per week for 60 minutes, over a 12 week semester at a college in upstate New York. It was hypothesized that all variables would improve following participation in the dance class. Dance sessions followed the accepted structure of a classical dance class: Warm up, technique training, and traveling movement combinations through the space. Participants were encouraged to dance next to or with their partners and replicate the movement and patterns given in class to the best of their ability. Pre- and post-testing measures included lower extremity strength measured using a hand held dynamometer, flexibility measured using a knee extension test, and balance measured using a functional reach test, 30-second sit to stand test and a timed up and go test. Significant improvements were found in lower extremity strength in all muscle groups tested, hamstring flexibility, and balance.

Research paper thumbnail of Heart rate variability in a collegiate dance environment: insights on overtraining for dance educators

Research in Dance Education, 2021

Ten female dancers ages 18–22 participated in a study measuring heart rate variability (HRV) over... more Ten female dancers ages 18–22 participated in a study measuring heart rate variability (HRV) over the course of one term in a collegiate dance department. HRV was measured at the same time in the morning once per week over 14 weeks. Additionally, dancer participants completed a weekly Recovery-Stress Questionnaire for Athletes (RESTQ-Sport) survey to assess variables of wellbeing including self-reported fatigue, well-being and perceived risk of injury alongside a separate weekly survey of self-reported dance exposure and sleep habits. Magnitude-based inferences (MBI) were utilized to determine the practical significance of changes in data using standardized differences in means, or effect size (ES). Results from the study reveal a distinct downward trend in cardiac vagal modulation over the course of a dance term, paired with an increased perception of fatigue and decreased perception of general well-being. These findings suggest that students may be experiencing not only a perceive...

Research paper thumbnail of Insights on Ten Weeks of Classical Ballet Training and Postural Stability in Older Adults

International journal of exercise science, 2020

Older adults show an increased risk of falling as they age, but dance interventions of various ge... more Older adults show an increased risk of falling as they age, but dance interventions of various genres have been shown to improve postural stability in this population. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a ten-week beginning ballet intervention on postural stability for older adults. Eleven participants enrolled in the Dance Group (DG; 73.3 ± 10.6 years) while six enrolled in the Control Group (CG; 69.5 ± 11.9 years) via convenience sample. Following the intervention, no significant differences were seen within the DG from pre-to post-testing or when comparing delta values (post minus pre) between groups in the center of pressure area, displacement, or speed (p > 0.05). While no differences were seen with this intervention, the ballet barre was used for approximately half of each dance class; future ballet interventions for older adults may benefit from training without a barre to enhance potential effects on postural stability.

Research paper thumbnail of Integrative Dance for Adults with Down Syndrome: Effects on Postural Stability

International journal of exercise science, 2020

Postural stability, one's ability to maintain an upright stable position, is a crucial aspect... more Postural stability, one's ability to maintain an upright stable position, is a crucial aspect of functional mobility and independent living. The purpose of this study was to examine if integrative dance classes have the potential to improve the postural stability in individuals with Down syndrome (DS). Utilizing a one group design, seven participants with DS were evaluated before and after a 12-week integrative dance class (ClinicalTrials.gov#NCT03660423). Postural stability was evaluated in uni- and bilateral quiet standing using a Wii Balance Board. Stability levels were measured based on changes in center of pressure (CoP) variables. Pre to post changes were found in in CoPx displacement (Z = -2.028, p = 0.043) and average speed (Z = -2.197, p = 0.028) in the eyes closed condition and in CoPy displacement with eyes open (Z = -2.366, p = 0.018). These data indicate improved postural stability following an intervention of integrative dance and a potential for improved functiona...

Research paper thumbnail of An integrative dance class to improve physical function of people with developmental and intellectual disabilities: a feasibility study

Arts & Health

ABSTRACT Background: This paper examines the feasibility of utilizing an integrative contemporary... more ABSTRACT Background: This paper examines the feasibility of utilizing an integrative contemporary dance class for improving physical function in adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Methods: Eighteen individuals participated in a 12-week dance class alongside 11 matriculated college students registered in an integrative dance course. Lower extremity strength, flexibility, mobility and balance testing was measured at pre- and post- testing. The dance class comprised 60 min of dance training two times per week. College students participated by dancing alongside the individuals in the class and assisting, if required. Results: Significant improvements were found in lower extremity strength in all muscle groups tested, hamstring flexibility, generalized mobility and stability. Conclusions: Integrative contemporary dance may provide meaningful physical improvements for individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities and are in need of further development and research.

Research paper thumbnail of Examining Neuromuscular Control of the Vastus Medialis Oblique and Vastus Lateralis Muscles During Fundamental Dance Movements

Journal of Dance Medicine & Science

Elite dancers have a higher rate of injury than college athletes. This may be due, in part, to im... more Elite dancers have a higher rate of injury than college athletes. This may be due, in part, to improper alignment during dance movements. Electromyography (EMG) can be an important indicator of such activity. This study aimed to examine how turnout (maximal hip external rotation) impacts activation of the vastus medialis oblique (VMO) and vastus lateralis (VL) muscles during fundamental dance movements. Thirty female collegiate dancers were recruited from intermediate and advanced ballet and modern technique classes. Surface EMG was used to examine activation of the VMO and VL during maximal isokinetic knee extension in demi-pliés and sautés in parallel and turned-out positions. The mean VMO:VL ratio was determined as a percentage of the highest repetition of maximal extension. The ratio was significantly lower during parallel sautés (0.921 ± 0.258) in comparison to turned-out sautés (1.008 ± 0.384; p = 0.033) and parallel pliés (1.185 ± 0.509; p = 0.002). No significant relationshi...

Research paper thumbnail of Searching for balance: The effects of dance training on the postural stability of individuals with intellectual disability

Journal of Intellectual & Developmental Disability

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine if integrative dance classes have the potential... more Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine if integrative dance classes have the potential to improve the postural stability in individuals with intellectual disability. Methods: A quasi-exp...

Research paper thumbnail of The Impact of a Ballet and Modern Dance Performance on Heart Rate Variability in Collegiate Dancers

Sports

Heart rate (HR) variability (HRV) is a useful tool for assessing cardiac autonomic function and i... more Heart rate (HR) variability (HRV) is a useful tool for assessing cardiac autonomic function and identifying potential readiness to perform in athletic populations, but has yet to be investigated in dance populations. As such, HRV may be able to provide valuable insight into the preparedness of dancers and the demands of performance in a collegiate dance population. 29 female dancers were monitored leading up to and following a dance performance. Analysis of HRV focused on the square root of the mean squared differences of the successive RR intervals (RMSSD). A one-way ANOVA, with Bonferroni post-hoc, paired with magnitude-based-inferences (MBI) with effect sizes (ES) were used to analyze changes during the Winter Dance Concert, while the Recovery-Stress Questionnaire for Athletes (REST-Q Sport) measured the frequency of stress of dancers. When compared to baseline (69.8 ± 1.7 bpm), mean (HR) was increased at both pre-show recordings (76.5 ± 2.1 bpm and 75.6 ± 1.8 bpm). In contrast, ...

Research paper thumbnail of Dance Exposure Tracking in a Liberal Arts Collegiate Dance Department

Journal of Dance Education

ABSTRACT Dancers in a liberal arts program of study are an underrepresented group in the field of... more ABSTRACT Dancers in a liberal arts program of study are an underrepresented group in the field of dance science and dance education literature. Dancers in this environment come with a broad range of interests and typically strive for high academic achievements outside of their dance studies. Therefore, their patterns of training and injury might be different than dancers typically studied in this field. This study sought to track dance exposure within a liberal arts collegiate dance department as it was hypothesized that dancers’ actual dance exposure time (AE) would be greater than their registered exposure time (RE). Self-reported injuries were also collected to assess incidence of injury. The findings of this study suggest a high incidence of injury and a statistically significant difference in AE versus RE. A customized periodization training program is recommended to assist institutions in combating these patterns within their own program.

Research paper thumbnail of The effect of classical ballet and contemporary dance training on hip extensor flexibility and strength in novice dancers: A pilot study

Performance Enhancement & Health

Abstract The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of an 11-week intervention of cl... more Abstract The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of an 11-week intervention of classical ballet and contemporary dance training on hip extensor flexibility and strength in college-aged students with no prior dance experience. An experimental group of college students enrolled in an introductory college dance course (n = 22) were compared to a control group of college students (n = 7). Measurements of flexibility and strength were taken at baseline and after the 11-week intervention, which consisted of 160 min of classical ballet or contemporary dance technique training per week. A one-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed statistically significant changes in bilateral hip extensor flexibility in the experimental group (p

Research paper thumbnail of Self-Reported Injury and Management in a Liberal Arts College Dance Department

Medical problems of performing artists, Dec 1, 2015

Dancers often view injuries as a necessary sacrifice for participating in their art form. The pur... more Dancers often view injuries as a necessary sacrifice for participating in their art form. The purpose of this research was to determine the frequency and patterns of injury in a non-conservatory, liberal arts dance environment. These data may enable dance departments to provide more effective health resources. Dancers registered in technique courses in a liberal arts dance department (including ballet, modern, tap, and jazz) completed an injury questionnaire immediately following the occurrence of any dance-related injury over the course of one semester. Out of 168 students registered in the department, 46 injuries were reported throughout the semester. The greatest rate of injury was in September and December with 0.95 and 0.65 injuries reported per day, respectively. 89.1% of participants indicated that they would use a direct-access, on-campus physical therapist or athletic trainer if available, though 45.7% of injured participants indicated that they would seek treatment off cam...

Research paper thumbnail of Reframing Movement Modifications: Integrative Dance in a Collegiate Environment

Journal of Dance Education

Dancers embody movement with an individualized approach, informed by their own unique physicality... more Dancers embody movement with an individualized approach, informed by their own unique physicality, creativity, and lived experience. In this paper, the author describes an integrative dance course ...

Research paper thumbnail of Integrative dance to improve physical function for people with developmental disabilities

Participants with developmental and intellectual disabilities participated in an integrative danc... more Participants with developmental and intellectual disabilities participated in an integrative dance class, two times per week for 60 minutes, over a 12 week semester at a college in upstate New York. It was hypothesized that all variables would improve following participation in the dance class. Dance sessions followed the accepted structure of a classical dance class: Warm up, technique training, and traveling movement combinations through the space. Participants were encouraged to dance next to or with their partners and replicate the movement and patterns given in class to the best of their ability. Pre- and post-testing measures included lower extremity strength measured using a hand held dynamometer, flexibility measured using a knee extension test, and balance measured using a functional reach test, 30-second sit to stand test and a timed up and go test. Significant improvements were found in lower extremity strength in all muscle groups tested, hamstring flexibility, and balance.

Research paper thumbnail of Heart rate variability in a collegiate dance environment: insights on overtraining for dance educators

Research in Dance Education, 2021

Ten female dancers ages 18–22 participated in a study measuring heart rate variability (HRV) over... more Ten female dancers ages 18–22 participated in a study measuring heart rate variability (HRV) over the course of one term in a collegiate dance department. HRV was measured at the same time in the morning once per week over 14 weeks. Additionally, dancer participants completed a weekly Recovery-Stress Questionnaire for Athletes (RESTQ-Sport) survey to assess variables of wellbeing including self-reported fatigue, well-being and perceived risk of injury alongside a separate weekly survey of self-reported dance exposure and sleep habits. Magnitude-based inferences (MBI) were utilized to determine the practical significance of changes in data using standardized differences in means, or effect size (ES). Results from the study reveal a distinct downward trend in cardiac vagal modulation over the course of a dance term, paired with an increased perception of fatigue and decreased perception of general well-being. These findings suggest that students may be experiencing not only a perceive...

Research paper thumbnail of Insights on Ten Weeks of Classical Ballet Training and Postural Stability in Older Adults

International journal of exercise science, 2020

Older adults show an increased risk of falling as they age, but dance interventions of various ge... more Older adults show an increased risk of falling as they age, but dance interventions of various genres have been shown to improve postural stability in this population. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a ten-week beginning ballet intervention on postural stability for older adults. Eleven participants enrolled in the Dance Group (DG; 73.3 ± 10.6 years) while six enrolled in the Control Group (CG; 69.5 ± 11.9 years) via convenience sample. Following the intervention, no significant differences were seen within the DG from pre-to post-testing or when comparing delta values (post minus pre) between groups in the center of pressure area, displacement, or speed (p > 0.05). While no differences were seen with this intervention, the ballet barre was used for approximately half of each dance class; future ballet interventions for older adults may benefit from training without a barre to enhance potential effects on postural stability.

Research paper thumbnail of Integrative Dance for Adults with Down Syndrome: Effects on Postural Stability

International journal of exercise science, 2020

Postural stability, one's ability to maintain an upright stable position, is a crucial aspect... more Postural stability, one's ability to maintain an upright stable position, is a crucial aspect of functional mobility and independent living. The purpose of this study was to examine if integrative dance classes have the potential to improve the postural stability in individuals with Down syndrome (DS). Utilizing a one group design, seven participants with DS were evaluated before and after a 12-week integrative dance class (ClinicalTrials.gov#NCT03660423). Postural stability was evaluated in uni- and bilateral quiet standing using a Wii Balance Board. Stability levels were measured based on changes in center of pressure (CoP) variables. Pre to post changes were found in in CoPx displacement (Z = -2.028, p = 0.043) and average speed (Z = -2.197, p = 0.028) in the eyes closed condition and in CoPy displacement with eyes open (Z = -2.366, p = 0.018). These data indicate improved postural stability following an intervention of integrative dance and a potential for improved functiona...

Research paper thumbnail of An integrative dance class to improve physical function of people with developmental and intellectual disabilities: a feasibility study

Arts & Health

ABSTRACT Background: This paper examines the feasibility of utilizing an integrative contemporary... more ABSTRACT Background: This paper examines the feasibility of utilizing an integrative contemporary dance class for improving physical function in adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Methods: Eighteen individuals participated in a 12-week dance class alongside 11 matriculated college students registered in an integrative dance course. Lower extremity strength, flexibility, mobility and balance testing was measured at pre- and post- testing. The dance class comprised 60 min of dance training two times per week. College students participated by dancing alongside the individuals in the class and assisting, if required. Results: Significant improvements were found in lower extremity strength in all muscle groups tested, hamstring flexibility, generalized mobility and stability. Conclusions: Integrative contemporary dance may provide meaningful physical improvements for individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities and are in need of further development and research.

Research paper thumbnail of Examining Neuromuscular Control of the Vastus Medialis Oblique and Vastus Lateralis Muscles During Fundamental Dance Movements

Journal of Dance Medicine & Science

Elite dancers have a higher rate of injury than college athletes. This may be due, in part, to im... more Elite dancers have a higher rate of injury than college athletes. This may be due, in part, to improper alignment during dance movements. Electromyography (EMG) can be an important indicator of such activity. This study aimed to examine how turnout (maximal hip external rotation) impacts activation of the vastus medialis oblique (VMO) and vastus lateralis (VL) muscles during fundamental dance movements. Thirty female collegiate dancers were recruited from intermediate and advanced ballet and modern technique classes. Surface EMG was used to examine activation of the VMO and VL during maximal isokinetic knee extension in demi-pliés and sautés in parallel and turned-out positions. The mean VMO:VL ratio was determined as a percentage of the highest repetition of maximal extension. The ratio was significantly lower during parallel sautés (0.921 ± 0.258) in comparison to turned-out sautés (1.008 ± 0.384; p = 0.033) and parallel pliés (1.185 ± 0.509; p = 0.002). No significant relationshi...

Research paper thumbnail of Searching for balance: The effects of dance training on the postural stability of individuals with intellectual disability

Journal of Intellectual & Developmental Disability

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine if integrative dance classes have the potential... more Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine if integrative dance classes have the potential to improve the postural stability in individuals with intellectual disability. Methods: A quasi-exp...

Research paper thumbnail of The Impact of a Ballet and Modern Dance Performance on Heart Rate Variability in Collegiate Dancers

Sports

Heart rate (HR) variability (HRV) is a useful tool for assessing cardiac autonomic function and i... more Heart rate (HR) variability (HRV) is a useful tool for assessing cardiac autonomic function and identifying potential readiness to perform in athletic populations, but has yet to be investigated in dance populations. As such, HRV may be able to provide valuable insight into the preparedness of dancers and the demands of performance in a collegiate dance population. 29 female dancers were monitored leading up to and following a dance performance. Analysis of HRV focused on the square root of the mean squared differences of the successive RR intervals (RMSSD). A one-way ANOVA, with Bonferroni post-hoc, paired with magnitude-based-inferences (MBI) with effect sizes (ES) were used to analyze changes during the Winter Dance Concert, while the Recovery-Stress Questionnaire for Athletes (REST-Q Sport) measured the frequency of stress of dancers. When compared to baseline (69.8 ± 1.7 bpm), mean (HR) was increased at both pre-show recordings (76.5 ± 2.1 bpm and 75.6 ± 1.8 bpm). In contrast, ...

Research paper thumbnail of Dance Exposure Tracking in a Liberal Arts Collegiate Dance Department

Journal of Dance Education

ABSTRACT Dancers in a liberal arts program of study are an underrepresented group in the field of... more ABSTRACT Dancers in a liberal arts program of study are an underrepresented group in the field of dance science and dance education literature. Dancers in this environment come with a broad range of interests and typically strive for high academic achievements outside of their dance studies. Therefore, their patterns of training and injury might be different than dancers typically studied in this field. This study sought to track dance exposure within a liberal arts collegiate dance department as it was hypothesized that dancers’ actual dance exposure time (AE) would be greater than their registered exposure time (RE). Self-reported injuries were also collected to assess incidence of injury. The findings of this study suggest a high incidence of injury and a statistically significant difference in AE versus RE. A customized periodization training program is recommended to assist institutions in combating these patterns within their own program.

Research paper thumbnail of The effect of classical ballet and contemporary dance training on hip extensor flexibility and strength in novice dancers: A pilot study

Performance Enhancement & Health

Abstract The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of an 11-week intervention of cl... more Abstract The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of an 11-week intervention of classical ballet and contemporary dance training on hip extensor flexibility and strength in college-aged students with no prior dance experience. An experimental group of college students enrolled in an introductory college dance course (n = 22) were compared to a control group of college students (n = 7). Measurements of flexibility and strength were taken at baseline and after the 11-week intervention, which consisted of 160 min of classical ballet or contemporary dance technique training per week. A one-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed statistically significant changes in bilateral hip extensor flexibility in the experimental group (p

Research paper thumbnail of Self-Reported Injury and Management in a Liberal Arts College Dance Department

Medical problems of performing artists, Dec 1, 2015

Dancers often view injuries as a necessary sacrifice for participating in their art form. The pur... more Dancers often view injuries as a necessary sacrifice for participating in their art form. The purpose of this research was to determine the frequency and patterns of injury in a non-conservatory, liberal arts dance environment. These data may enable dance departments to provide more effective health resources. Dancers registered in technique courses in a liberal arts dance department (including ballet, modern, tap, and jazz) completed an injury questionnaire immediately following the occurrence of any dance-related injury over the course of one semester. Out of 168 students registered in the department, 46 injuries were reported throughout the semester. The greatest rate of injury was in September and December with 0.95 and 0.65 injuries reported per day, respectively. 89.1% of participants indicated that they would use a direct-access, on-campus physical therapist or athletic trainer if available, though 45.7% of injured participants indicated that they would seek treatment off cam...

Research paper thumbnail of Reframing Movement Modifications: Integrative Dance in a Collegiate Environment

Journal of Dance Education

Dancers embody movement with an individualized approach, informed by their own unique physicality... more Dancers embody movement with an individualized approach, informed by their own unique physicality, creativity, and lived experience. In this paper, the author describes an integrative dance course ...