ABSTRACTBackground: Postural stability (PS) has an important role in many athletic activities. However, modern dance demands a heightened PS because of the required aesthetic quality and speed of movement. The aim of the present study was to compare the static and dynamic PS of young dancers and participants of other sporting activities.Method: A total of 101 girls (age: 7.91 ± 0.7 year) were divided into a Dance group (N = 53) and a physically active Control group (N = 48). Static PS was assessed with a two-leg standing test on a Force plate, and dynamic PS was assessed with a Körperkoordinationstest für Kinder (KTK) - a walking backwards test on a balance beam.Results: Multivariate analysis of variance showed a general difference between the groups (F = 21.95; p ≤ 0.0001). In static PS, the Dance group was better in Total distance of center of pressure (COP) (p ≤ 0.0001; ES = -1.70), Anterior-posterior oscillation (p ≤ 0.0001; ES = -1.40), Medial-lateral oscillation (p ≤ 0.0001; ES = 1.75) and Length in function of surface (p ≤ 0.0001; ES = -0.98). Both parameters of dynamic stability, the KTK test (p ≤ 0.0001; ES = 1.28) and Motor quotients KTK test (p ≤ 0.0001; ES = 1.45), were significantly better in the Dance group.Conclusion: The results from the present study indicate that children girls who participate mostly in dance develop better static and dynamic PS than children girls who participate in other sport activities. These findings underline the importance of training modification toward the improvement of PS in dance.
Keywords: Biomechanics; children; exercise; motor control; youth.