Biomechanical Description of Zapateado Technique in Flamenco

Wanda Forczek-Karkosz, Robert Michnik, Katarzyna Nowakowska-Lipiec, Alfonso Vargas-Macias, Irene Baena-Chicón, Sebastián Gómez-Lozano and Joanna Gorwa
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Wanda Forczek-Karkosz: Department of Biomechanics, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, University of Physical Education in Krakow, 31-636 Kraków, Poland
Robert Michnik: Department of Biomechatronics, Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Silesian University of Technology, 44-100 Zabrze, Poland
Katarzyna Nowakowska-Lipiec: Department of Biomechatronics, Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Silesian University of Technology, 44-100 Zabrze, Poland
Alfonso Vargas-Macias: Telethusa Centre for Flamenco Research, E-11004 Cádiz, Spain
Irene Baena-Chicón: Department of Flamenco Dance, Pepa Flores Professional Dance Conservatory, E-29007 Málaga, Spain
Sebastián Gómez-Lozano: Performing Arts Research Group, San Antonio Catholic University of Murcia, E-30107 Murcia, Spain
Joanna Gorwa: Department of Biomechanics, Chair of Theory and Methodology of Sport, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Poznan University of Physical Education, 61-871 Poznań, Poland

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 6, 1-13

Abstract: The main purpose of this study was to identify a dancer’s body alignment while performing flamenco footwork to provide a detailed description that could be used by flamenco practitioners: teachers, instructors and students of different levels of advancement. The zapateado technique performed by a professional flamenco dancer was analyzed. The biomechanical analysis was based on 30 cycles composed of six repeating sequences of strikes. Kinematic recordings were performed using a Vicon system, while the measurement of the ground reaction forces (GRF) was accomplished with a Kistler force plate. The following parameters were analyzed: the time of each foot strike, the maximal value of the vertical component of GRF normalized to body weight (BW) for subsequent footwork steps, the impulse of the GRF and the kinematics of pelvis and lower limb joints, and an exemplary waveform view of the sound of footwork strikes was shown. The average values of the vertical component of GRF ranged between 0.6 and 2.7 BW. The maximal anterior pelvic tilt was 29°, with a 6° range of motion (RoM). This mobility was accompanied by 20° hip RoM and by ~40° knee RoM throughout flexion. The conclusions provide practical information that a teacher and flamenco student should receive.

Keywords: technique; footwork; intangible cultural heritage; flamenco; zapateado (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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