Kinematics and aesthetics of grand battement and d velopp after static and dynamic hamstrings stretching in adolescents

Abstract

Adolescent recreational dancers mostly use static hamstring stretching. However, dynamic stretching seems to influence athletic performance as well. Is one of these stretching methods more favorable to the execution of a grand battement or d velopp (two ballet movements) in dancers? Sixteen participants performed a grand battement and a d velopp under three conditions: without stretching, and immediately after the static and dynamic hamstring stretching. Three-dimensional kinematics of the lower limb performing the movement were recorded and analyzed. Dynamic stretching has the most noticeable effect on the amplitude of the grand battement, while the d velopp is not significantly modified by the stretching condition. Dynamic stretching appears to be helpful in the improvement of explosive movements. Correlations between the aesthetic evaluation of a jury made of professional dancers and kinematical parameters were studied. Significant linear correlations between kinematic parameters and aesthetic scores have been observed: improving dancers’ physical performances has noticeable impact on the perception of their movements.