WHAT BIOMECHANICAL VARIABLES DETERMINATE JUMPING PERFORMANCE IN BALLERINAS?

• Grant number: 25/05272-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: May 01, 2025
• End date: December 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Deborah Hebling Spinoso
• Grantee: Beatriz Signori Caetano
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Filosofia e Ciências (FFC). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Marília. Marília , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Introduction: In classical ballet, jumping is the most frequently performed movement and accounts for 40% of injuries. However, studies analyzing the biomechanical factors influencing the performance of specific ballet jumps remain scarce in the literature, making it challenging to understand the key determinants of efficient execution and injury prevention.ObjectivesTo investigate the relationship between lower limb kinematics, peak torque, and the rate of torque development in the knee and ankle with performance in two ballet jumps (sauté and pas jeté) and to compare them with the performance of the countermovement vertical jump.MethodsThis study will include 20 female ballet dancers aged between 14 and 20 years, with at least one year of ballet training. Initially, an anamnesis will be conducted to collect personal data and familiarize participants with the jump assessment protocol. Subsequently, isometric and concentric joint torque assessments of knee flexion and extension, as well as ankle plantar flexion, dorsiflexion, inversion, and eversion, will be performed using an isokinetic dynamometer. On the second day, the kinematic evaluation of two ballet jumps (sauté and pas jeté) and the countermovement vertical jump will be conducted.For kinematic data analysis, trunk, hip, knee, and ankle angles will be measured. For dynamometric analysis, peak torque and the rate of torque development will be calculated. Additionally, jump height and flight time will be determined using the My Jump app. Statistical analysis will be performed using PASW Statistics 18.0® software, applying specific tests for comparison and correlation of variables across the three jump types, with a significance level of p<0.05. (AU)