Clarifying the relationships between trunk muscle endurance, respiratory muscle strength and static/dynamic postural control in Latin dancers

Sufficient study has not been performed to clarify the role of trunk/respiratory muscles strength/endurance in providing postural control in dancers. The purpose of this study was to identify predictors affecting static/dynamic postural control in Latin dancers and to compare these measurements with non-dancers. The study included 38 (26F; 12 M) Latin dancers and 33 (21F; 11 M) non-dancers. Static/dynamic postural control, trunk muscle endurance, respiratory muscle strength/pulmonary functions, flexibility, and reaction tests were assessed with a force platform system, the McGill battery, spirometer, sit-and-reach test and Nelson-reaction-tests, respectively. Trunk muscle endurance times, respiratory muscle strength, FEV1/FVC, gender, hours of training per week and dancing experience were significant predictors of static/dynamic postural control in dancers (p < 0.05). All the trunk muscle endurance times, reaction tests results, and maximal inspiratory pressure were higher in the dancers compared to the non-dancers (p < 0.05). The limits of stability for forward and backward directions were higher, and anteroposterior sway in normal stability with eyes open was lower in the dancers compared to the non-dancers (p < 0.05). Trunk muscles endurance, respiratory muscle strength, dancing experience, and hours of training per week were positively associated with static/dynamic postural control. These predictors should be taken into consideration to improve postural control in dancers.