Kinematic analysis of sway motions of elite dance sport competitors

Purpose: This study aimed to identify the potential relationship between scores given by judges and kinematic variables used to characterise the sway movement in the Viennese waltz as performed by dance sport athletes. Methods: The study involved six world-class and six intermediate dance couples. The pairs were asked to perform three identical series of three natural spins of the figure in a Viennese waltz and were all recorded by camera as they danced to music. Six international adjudicators evaluated all trials of each couple from the viewpoint of the technical quality component based on the Absolute Judging System. A triaxial rotational angular velocity measurement device (gyroscope) was placed on the dorsal part of the pelvic girdle and on the posterior part of the thorax of every athlete. Results: The analysis of covariance showed that maximum angular rotation velocities of the thoracic spine in forward sway movements (in the transverse plane) in male dancers were strongly associated with the judging score obtained (F1,9 = 11.5; P < .05; ηp 2 = .05) regardless of the assignment to the given group. Conclusion: According to the study conducted and a comparison of elite and intermediate level athletes, the proposed method of assessing, presenting and reviewing the movement profile of the pelvic girdle and thoracic movement is likely to become useful for the overall assessment of movement technique, and also for carrying out quick and effective qualitative and quantitative biomechanical assessment of selected components of movement technique in dance sport. Keywords: Standard style, technique, ballroom dancing, Viennese waltz, absolute judging system.