Validating a dance specific screening test for balance

19-May-2020 12:29

non sedating muscle

Balance and equilibrium are very similar concepts but slightly different from a mechanical point of view.

Both refer to an absolute state, whereas stability is a relative quantity.

Within this context, adaptability has been put forward as a concept to understand how balance during dynamic activity is affected by a changing environment.].

This highlights the importance of evaluating balance coupled to unanticipated stimuli and goal-oriented motor tasks when exploring functional tests within the construct of adaptability.

The visuomotor reaction time on a behavioural level considers the time needed from start to end-point of the VMT.

While most sports injuries occur in a changing environment where reacting to a non-planned stimulus is of great importance, these balance tests only evaluate pre-planned movements without taking these dynamics environmental aspects into account.

Opinions vary on whether joint hypermobility is an asset or liability in dance.

This paper argues that it is an asset, the arguments for its being a liability often confounded by inadequate scoring systems inappropriately applied.

In the context of adaptability, it was more relevant to consider the visuomotor reaction time on the behavioural level as the time needed to select and execute the appropriate motor response in a changing environment.

payloadvalidatinginterceptor source

Previous research showed that together with the reaction time and pre-motor time as outcomes for speed of signal processing, accuracy can be used as an outcome measure of adequate signal processing and learning [].

This implied a stepwise description of the 1) definitions and exploration throughout the theoretical constructs of balance and adaptability, followed by the 2) development of test items which lead to the creation of the final test protocol.