Flexibility of Ballet Dancers in COVID-19 Pandemic: A Prospective Observational Study in Portugal

Amanda Batista, Elmiro Neto, Luís Branquinho, Ricardo Ferraz, Joana Ribeiro, Pedro Forte and Lurdes Ávila-Carvalho
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Amanda Batista: Higher Institute of Educational Sciences of the Douro (ISCE Douro), 4560-708 Penafiel, Portugal
Elmiro Neto: Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador 40170-110, Bahia, Brazil
Luís Branquinho: Higher Institute of Educational Sciences of the Douro (ISCE Douro), 4560-708 Penafiel, Portugal
Ricardo Ferraz: Department of Sport Sciences, Instituto Politécnico de Bragança (IPB), 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal
Joana Ribeiro: Higher Institute of Educational Sciences of the Douro (ISCE Douro), 4560-708 Penafiel, Portugal
Pedro Forte: Higher Institute of Educational Sciences of the Douro (ISCE Douro), 4560-708 Penafiel, Portugal
Lurdes Ávila-Carvalho: CIFI2D, Faculty of Sports (FADEUP), University of Porto, 4099-002 Porto, Portugal

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 15, 1-11

Abstract: The aim of this study was to verify how dancers’ flexibility work has developed during confinement through four assessment moments: before, during (two times), and after the lockdown period. The sample was formed by 18 dancers from the Porto Dance Conservatory (Portugal) with an average age of 11.4 ± 1.4 years and 1.4 ± 0.7 years of experience. To assess the passive and active flexibility level, we used seven of the International Gymnastics Federation’s recommended tests using main joints (i.e., hips and spine). The first evaluation was performed before the pandemic situation began in a training environment, and the second and third evaluation were performed during the lockdown, in home environment, and in virtual trainings. Finally, the last evaluation was carried out in a training environment after returning to face-to-face activities and with several rules such a social distancing and mask use. The results showed that significant improvements were verified in the flexibility level of the dancers from the first to the fourth moment of evaluation. In the current study, no statistical significance was noted for the decreased values of functional asymmetry between the preferred and non-preferred lower limbs. These differences may have substantial relevance for dancers’ harmonious body development.

Keywords: rhythmic gymnastics; COVID-19 pandemic; flexibility; functional asymmetry (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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