An empirical investigation of dance addiction

Although recreational dancing is associated with increased physical and psychological well-being, little is known about the harmful effects of excessive dancing. The aim of the present study was to explore the psychopathological factors associated with dance addiction. The sample comprised 447 salsa and ballroom dancers (68% female, mean age: 32.8 years) who danced recreationally at least once a week. The Exercise Addiction Inventory (Terry, Szabo, & Griffiths, 2004) was adapted for dance (Dance Addiction Inventory, DAI). Motivation, general mental health (BSI-GSI, and Mental Health Continuum), borderline personality disorder, eating disorder symptoms, and dance motives were also assessed. Five latent classes were explored based on addiction symptoms with 11% of participants belonging to the most problematic class. DAI was positively associated with psychiatric distress, borderline personality and eating disorder symptoms. Hierarchical linear regression model indicated that Intensity (ß=0.22), borderline (ß=0.08), eating disorder (ß=0.11) symptoms, as well as Escapism (ß=0.47) and Mood Enhancement (ß=0.15) (as motivational factors) together explained 42% of DAI scores. Dance addiction as assessed with the Dance Addiction Inventory is associated with indicators of mild psychopathology and therefore warrants further research

Exercise intensities during a ballet lesson in female adolescents with different technical ability

To investigate the exercise intensity during a typical grade five ballet lesson, thirty-nine dancers (13–16 yrs) were divided into three different technical proficiency groups: low level (n = 13), intermediate level (n = 14), and high level (n = 12). A progressively incremented treadmill test was administered to determine V˙ O2max, individual ventilatory threshold (IVT), and the individual anaerobic threshold (IAT). Oxygen uptake (V˙ O2), heart rate (HR) and blood lactate (La) were then evaluated during a grade five ballet lesson. Oxygen uptake at IVT, IAT and maximal oxygen uptake were greater (p < 0.05) in the high-level dancers indicating a higher level of fitness. HR and %V˙ O2max obtained during the various exercises of the ballet lesson were similar among groups. During the ballet lesson, low technical level dancers had moreV˙ O2 and La values above (p < 0.05) the IAT than the other groups. Correlation analysis revealed that the number of exercises performed above IAT was positively related to anthropometric characteristics (BMI, %FM; r = 0.36, p < 0.05; r = 0.46, p < 0.01), negatively related to fitness parameters (V˙ O2IVT, V˙ O2IAT, V˙ O2max; r between – 0.43 and – 0.69; p < 0.001) and to technical level (r = – 0.70; p < 0.001). The subjects classified as having low technical abilities had lower fitness levels and performed more exercises above IAT than the more skilled dancers

Effect of warm up on energy cost and energy sources of a ballet dance exercise

To evaluate the effect of warm up on energy cost and energy sources of a ballet dance exercise, 12 adolescent talented female dancers performed a ballet exercise (30 s of tours piques en dedans on pointe) without and following a warm up. Warm up consisted in a light running followed by a period of stretching and two ballet exercises. The overall energy requirement of dance exercise (VO2eq) was obtained by adding the amount of VO2 during exercise above resting (aerobic source or VO2ex) to the VO2 up to the fast component of recovery (anaerobic alactic source or VO2al) and to the energy equivalent of peak blood lactate accumulation (anaerobic lactic source or VO2la-) of recovery. VO2eq of exercise preceded by warm up amounted to 37 +/- 3 ml kg(-1). VO2al represented the higher fraction (50 +/- 6%) of VO2eq, the remaining fractions were: 39 +/- 5% for VO2ex and 11 +/- 3% for VO2la-. VO2eq of exercise without warm up amounted to 38 +/- 3 ml kg(-1). This value was made up of: 26 +/- 6% by VO2ex, 56 +/- 6% by VO2al and 18 +/- 3% by VO2la-. Between exercise conditions, significant differences were found in VO2ex (P O-2max indicates a very demanding exercise. The anaerobic alactic source was the most utilized. It can be concluded that, when dance exercise was preceded by warm up, the anaerobic sources contribution decreased whereas the aerobic energy source increased

Selected factors correlated to athletics performance in adults with mental retardation

The aims of this study were to assess the contribution of selected factors to the athletic performance in adults with mental retardation (MR) and to analyze the correlation of each factor with subjects' MR levels. Twentynine trained athletes with MR aged 20-45 years were recruited. The fundamental factors included anthropometric measurements, flexibility, muscular strength and endurance, explosive leg power, cardiovascular endurance, and motor coordination. The athletic performances were as follows: 60 m, 300 m, 400 m in walking, standing long jump, and vortex throw (Level I) or 100-m run, shot put, and long jump (Level II). Motor coordination and body weight had significant contributions to 60 m (p < 0.01) and the %body fat had significant contribution to 300 m and 100 m (p < 0.05). The explosive leg power had significant contribution to vortex throw and standing long jump (p < 0.05). The upper-body strength and muscular endurance had significant contribution in shot put (p < 0.05). The body weight had significant contribution in long jump (p < 0.05). MR level was positively correlated to motor coordination (p < 0.05) and negatively to abdominal muscular strength and endurance (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the results showed the possibility to determine the contributions of selected factors to the athletic performance. This should be addressed in athletics training to help athletes with MR to perform successfully in their competitions. © 2010 National Strength and Conditioning Association

Contributions of selected fundamental factors to basketball performance in adult players with mental retardation

The purpose of this study was to determine the contributions of selected fundamental factors to basketball performance in adult players with mental retardation (MR). Fourteen trained male players with MR (32.1 6 7.4 years) were recruited. The athletes' performances were assessed using adapted basketball tests that assessed 4 ability levels of increasing difficulty (from I to IV), each one characterized by the analysis of 4 fundamental areas: ball handling, reception, passing, and shooting. The fundamental factors included anthropometric measurements (height, weight, and body mass index), static balance, muscular strength and endurance, explosive leg power, cardiovascular endurance, and motor coordination. This study showed that greater explosive leg power and upper-body muscular strength and endurance had significant contributions to ball handling (85%, p < 0.01), and explosive leg power had significant positive contribution in reception (59%, p < 0.05) and shooting (64%, p = 0.01). The forearm muscular strength and upper-body muscular strength and endurance had significant contributions to passing (78%, p = 0.01). Moreover, the greater explosive leg power had significant contribution in level II (46%, p < 0.05), in level III (52%, p < 0.05), and in global score (60%, p < 0.05). In conclusion, the results showed the possibility to determine the contribution of selected fundamental factors to basketball performance. Therefore, the basketball coach could improve a selected fundamental factor to increase specific basketball ability. This should be addressed in a specific training to help players with MR to perform successfully in their competitions

Does living setting influence training adaptations in young girls?

To assess whether rural or urban setting may influence young girls’ fitness and coordinative abilities training adaptations following dance training. Forty-four dancers aged 11–12 years (21 urban, 23 rural) attended a 6-month dance training while continuing to practice their habitual physical activities (PA). Dancers’ fitness and motor coordination abilities were assessed by pre- and post-intervention tests (anthropometric measures, 1-mile run/walk, sit and reach, standing long jump, hand grip and four field tests of kinaesthetic discrimination and response orientation). PA was assessed using a self-report recall measure. After the intervention period, rural dancers significantly improved in 1-mile run/walk, lower limb kinaesthetic discrimination and response orientation ability tests. Significant differences between two groups in upper limb response orientation ability test were found. Both groups showed a significant increase in body height and weight. Multiple regression analysis indicated that time in nonorganized PA predicted some fitness and coordinative changes (1-mile run/walk, lower limb response orientation and kinaesthetic discrimination ability tests) following the training period, although the percentage of variance it could explain was moderate. Our results showed that training adaptations of some fitness and coordinative performances could be influenced by setting characteristics that provided opportunities for different types of PA

Basketball ability testing and category for players with mental retardation: 8-month training effect

Although sport for athletes with Mental Retardation (MR) is achieving an important role, literature concerning basketball test and training is still poor. The aims of this study were to verify whether the basketball test battery could be an appropriate modality to classify the players in Promotion category (Pro); to assess basketball abilities before (PRE) and after (POST) a 8-months training in players with MR in relation to Competitive (Comp) and Pro categories; to analyse the variation of specific basketball abilities by subjects’ MR diagnosis. Forty-one basketball male players with MR (17 Comp and 24 Pro; age range 18-45 years; MR: 15% Mild, 54% Moderate, 29% Severe and 2% Profound) were assessed PRE and POST training through the basketball test battery, assessing 4 ability levels of increasing difficulty (from I to IV), each one characterized by the analysis of fundamental areas (ball handling, reception, passing and shooting). Level I was significantly changed after the intervention period regardless the Category, while shooting was affected by the interaction between Category and Intervention. The results showed significant differences between categories in score of individual global, level I, level II, level III, and in all fundamental areas. Individual global score in both categories significantly increased. Players of Comp significantly improved in level III, in ball handling, reception, passing, and shooting scores. Players of Pro improved significantly in level II, in ball handling, reception, and passing scores. Individual global, ability level I, II and III, and fundamental area scores were negatively correlated to MR level indicating that players with lower MR obtained higher ability scores. In conclusion, the basketball test battery could be useful for improving and monitoring training both in Comp and Pro players

Assessing basketball ability in players with mental retardation

Background: Although athletes with mental retardation (MR) have achieved an important role, literature concerning the evaluation tests in basketball is still poor. Objective: To assess basketball ability before and after a 4-month training performed before championship for athletes with MR and to correlate ability variations with MR levels. Methods: 15 trained basketball players with MR (11 men and 4 women; age range 21-43 years; MR: 3 mild, 8 moderate, 8 severe and 1 profound). Athletes were tested before (pre) and after (post) 4 month training preceding the championship. The tests assessed 4 levels of ability, each one characterised by 4 fundamental areas of this game: ball handling, reception, passing and shooting. Each area was divided into 5 specific components. Results: The team average score, based on the score of each athlete's 4 levels, improved by 6.6 points (41.6 (SD 11.9) vs 48.2 (14.7)). The comparison between pre and post scores in each level showed increases (p<0.01), especially in level II (14.4 (3.5) vs 16.5 (3.3)) and in level III (7.1 (5.7) vs 9.2 (6.6)). Within level II, ball handling (3.67 (1.2) vs 4.37 (0.5); p<0.05) and passing (3.20 (1.2) vs 3.97 (1.3); p<0.01) improved; in level III reception (3.21 (1.1) vs 3.73 (1.1); p = 0.01) and shooting (1.82 (1.1) vs 2.45 (1.3); p<0.05) increased. Conclusions: A 4 month training caused a general improvement, especially evident in levels II and III. Total score reached in level II was negatively correlated with MR level (r = -0.56; p<0.05), indicating that athletes with lower MR obtained higher scores

Energy cost and energy sources of a ballet dance exercise in female adolescents with different technical ability

This study evaluated energy cost and energy sources of a ballet exercise (grand adage) in young female dancers with different technical ability, and then related the energy sources to the subject's VO 2max and anaerobic threshold (IAT). Twenty-five dancers (13-16 years) were divided into two different technical ability groups: low-level (n = 13) and high-level (n = 12). The overall energy requirement of dance exercise (VO 2eq) was obtained by adding the amount of VO 2 during exercise above resting (aerobic source or VO 2ex) to the VO 2 up to the fast component of recovery (anaerobic alactic source or VO 2al) and to the energy equivalent of peak blood lactate accumulation (anaerobic lactic source or VO2la) of recovery. VO -2eq of exercise amounted to 81 ± 10 and 94 ± 9 ml kg -1 in low-level and high-level groups, respectively. VO 2ex represented the higher fraction (65 ± 4% and 77 ± 5%) in low-level and high-level groups, respectively, of VO 2eq in both the groups. In the low-level group the remaining fractions were: 23 ± 2 % for VO 2al and 12 ± 1% for VO 2la-. In high-level group the remaining fractions were: 18 ± 2 % for VO 2al and 4 ± 1% for VO 2la-. Between two groups, significant differences were found in VO 2ex (P < 0.01), VO 2la- (P < 0.01), and VO 2al (P < 0.05). IAT was 55 and 60% of V̇O 2max for low-level and high-level dancers, respectively. Low-level dancers performed more exercise above IAT than high-level. For these reasons, it should be better to define exercise intensity according to the IAT parameter and not only to V̇O 2max

Effects of varying type of exertion on children's attention capacity

Purpose: The aim of this investigation was to examine the potential influence of varying types of exertion on immediate attentional performance on 138 primary school boys and girls. Methods: Subjects performed three different types of exertion [cognitive exertion (school curricular lesson), physical exertion (traditional physical education lesson), and mixed cognitive and physical exertion (coordinative physical education lesson)] at the same time of the school day for 3 wk. Before and immediately after each exertion session, subjects were administered the d2 Test of Attention. Results: Results showed that participants’ attentional performances were significantly affected by exertion type (cognitive exertion vs physical exertion vs mixed cognitive and physical exertion; P G 0.05), by intervention (before vs after; P G 0.05), and by exertion type intervention interactions (P G 0.01). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that varying types of exertion have different beneficial influences on schoolchildren’s immediate cognitive performance