Contribution to Book
Analyzing the Use of the Fifth Position in Dance Training
Perspectives in Performing Arts Medicine Practice: A Multidisciplinary Approach
(2020)
Abstract
A dancer often performs one hundred or more closing actions of the leg to fifthposition during one ballet or contemporary technique class. Ideally, the effectiveness of the battementtendu or dégagé closing movement is achieved through maintaining a straight, well-aligned leg throughout the movement trajectory; however, visual observation indicates that dancers often make unhealthy biomechanical adjustments to accommodate the closing action, when the leg closes from the front into the fifth position. Given the prevalence of lower body overuse injuries in dance and the multiple risk factors involved in dance training practice, this study examined dancers’ traditional, repetitive tendu closing training practice. More specifically, the study sought to identify if there were compensatory actions taking place at the knee joint during the closing action and to what extent this was a common occurrence. This study investigated the biomechanics of dancers’ knee motions during a tendu closing from front in first, third, and fifth positions. Quantitative motion analysis data were contextualized and combined with dancers’ verbal reporting, instructor video analysis, and survey data. Data analysis revealed that 100% of dancers (23/23) flexed and outwardly rotated the leg at the knee joint more significantly in the closing to fifth than any other positions. Based on the findings of the study, we recommend modified closing strategies and suggest additional lines of inquiry.
Keywords
- Fifth position,
- Turnout,
- Dancer Perception,
- Biomechanics,
- Dance Training,
- Ballet Pedagogy,
- Knee Injury
Disciplines
Publication Date
Spring 2020
Editor
Sang-Hie Lee, Merry Lynn Morris, Santo V. Nicosia
Publisher
Springer
DOI
10.1007/978-3-030-37480-8
Citation Information
Merry L. Morris, Paula Nunez, Andee Scott and Stephanie Carey. "Analyzing the Use of the Fifth Position in Dance Training" Perspectives in Performing Arts Medicine Practice: A Multidisciplinary Approach (2020) p. 143 Available at: http://works.bepress.com/merry-morris/44/