The Effects of Fatigue on Landing Forces in Competitive Female Irish Dancers

The Effects of Fatigue on Landing Forces in Competitive Female Irish Dancers

Presenter(s)

Anna Robinson

Comments

Presentation: 11:15-11:30, Kennedy Union Boll Theatre

Description

Lower extremity injuries are highly prevalent within the Irish dance population, yet research surrounding potential determinants is scarce. Many movements, particularly jumps, in Irish dance are constituted by a one-foot landing with the ankle in a plantarflexed position and the knee fully extended. This unique landing technique is contrary to other forms of dance, such as ballet, where landings typically allow for some knee flexion in a plie-like position. Subsequently, this aesthetic constraint requires large amounts of strength and balance, in addition to forcing the structures of the foot and ankle to absorb the entire shock of the landing. This study aims to determine the effect that fatigue has on landing forces following the 360 spin move, which is characterized by the dancer jumping off the ground from their lead foot, making a full 360° turn in the air before landing on the opposite foot. Since fatigue has been shown to play a role in ground reaction force, in addition to overall center of pressure, this study focuses on establishing how the lower extremities react when trying to stop the turning motion following this jump. Through having competitive female Irish dancers perform the 360 spin under both fatigued and non-fatigued trials with all landings taking place on a force plate, the changes in ground reaction force and center of balance can be determined. The results from this study will be able to direct future research in establishing additional injury risks associated with the Irish dance technique in order to correctly aim injury prevention measures.

Publication Date

4-17-2024

Project Designation

Honors Thesis

Primary Advisor

Kim E. Bigelow

Primary Advisor's Department

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Keywords

Stander Symposium, School of Engineering

Institutional Learning Goals

Scholarship; Vocation; Practical Wisdom

The Effects of Fatigue on Landing Forces in Competitive Female Irish Dancers

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