Body Composition,Aerobic and Anaerobic Capacity Comparison in Collegiate Dancers of Different Dance Styles in China

Abstract

Introduction:

The purpose of this research was to compare body composition, aerobic, and anaerobic capacity values in different dance styles and gain insight into the relationships between body composition and physiological capacity in dancers.

Method:

A total of 46 collegiate dancers including 10 Ballet (Male 5, Female 5), 22 Chinese Classical Dance (Male 12, Female 10), and 14 Chinese Folk Dance (Male 7, Female 7) performed body composition, aerobic, and anaerobic capacity tests. Body composition was measured by using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry; aerobic capacity was measured during an incremental treadmill test until exhaustion; anaerobic capacity was measured by using the standard Wingate Anaerobic Test. The independent t-test, one-way ANOVA and multiple linear stepwise regression analysis were performed.

Results:

In three dance styles, male dancers presented more FFM, better aerobic and anaerobic capacity than female dancers. Female Chinese Folk dancers had higher body fat percentage and lower relative V̇O_2peak than female Ballet dancers (both P < .05). Male Chinese Folk dancers presented less FFM and absolute V̇O_2peak than male Chinese Classical dancers (both P < .05). The V̇O_2peak of Ballet dancers were similar to Chinese Classical dancers in both females and males. Anaerobic values of female Chinese Classical dancers were significantly higher than female Ballet dancers. No significant differences were found in anaerobic values of male dancers between three dance styles. Multiple linear stepwise regression analysis revealed FFM was the significant predictor of V̇O_2peak (L·min⁻¹), peak power (W), and average power (W) for both females and males across all three dance styles.

Conclusions:

The present study concluded that Chinese Folk dancers demonstrated the poorest aerobic capacity, Chinese Classical dancers demonstrated similar aerobic capacity to Ballet dancers, and Chinese Classical dancers demonstrated the best anaerobic capacity. It is suggested that dancers may benefit from maintaining relatively higher FFM for physical fitness, injury prevention and dance performance.