An observational study on power performance in adolescent ballet dancers in vocational education

1. Nico Kolokythas MSc, ASCC, PhD Student
Performance Enhancement Coach

2. Disclosures
Nico Kolokythas has no financial disclosures
that would be a potential conflict of interest
with this presentation.

3. “Jump height in elite
adolescent ballet dancers”
An Observational Study

4. Jump height increases
with maturation
Hypothesis
Sahrom et al. (2013); Lloyd et al. (2011)

5. Protocol
• 184 dancers (N=64
male, N=120 female;
aged 11-19 years)
• Dynamic warm up
• 3 countermovement
jumps (CMJ) –
familiarisation
• 3 CMJ

6. JUMP HEIGHT MEANS
0.00
5.00
10.00
15.00
20.00
25.00
30.00
35.00
7 8 9 10 12 13 14
F
M

7. DISCUSSION
• The body grows
first in size then in
strength
• Gender differences
≥14 years old
• Muscle-tendon-
reflexes
development should
equal to better
potentiation
Sahrom et al. (2013); Lloyd et al. (2011); Tanner (1962); Taylor et al. (2010)

8. Female dancers’ jump height decreased with age
Men do not develop enough

9. 6 7 8 9 10 12 13 14
F - Max of School_JH 21.7 25.2 26.9 27.1 26.9 28.7
F - Max of Ballet_JH 23.6 16.1 16.3 21.3 18.5 21.0 23.3
M - Max of School_JH 21.9 26.9 29.8 32.4 35.4 37.1
M - Max of Ballet_JH 11.5 12.1 18.5 17.4 26.3 25.1 29.3
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
JumpHeight Ballet children vs School children Jump Height Means
School Children data source: Taylor et al. (2010)

10. Gender Excellent Above
average
Average Below
average
Poor
Male >65 cm 50-65 cm 40-49 cm 30-39 cm <30 cm
Female >58 cm 47-58 cm 35-46 cm 26-35 cm <26 cm
Gender Excellent Above
average
Average Below
average
Poor
Male >65 cm 56-65 cm 50-55 cm 49-40 cm <40 cm
Female >60 cm 51-60 cm 41-50 cm 35-40 cm <35 cm
Davis (2000)
Beashel (1997)
Normative Data
16 to 19 year olds
15 to 16 year olds

11. BUT WHY?
• Class every day
• Relevé every day
• Petit allegro every day (approx
15-20min)
• Allegro every day (approx 15-
20min)

12. Underdeveloped engine
for high performance demands
Ballet-only approach
Koutedakis and Jamurtas (2004)

13. BUT…
“It’s not just about the height
of the jump”

14. “LAND LIKE A DANCER”
Easier to land “pretty” when
you don’t jump high enough
source http://www.balletcoaching.com/blog/land-like-a-dancer

15. EVIDENCE FROM ATHLETE
DEVELOPMENT MODELS
Lloyd et al. (2012)

16. TRAINING WINDOWS

17. BALLET
• Technical proficiency is the
main focus
• Physical preparation is
neglected
• Ballet teachers rely on
experience and not on evidence
based practice

18. Is ballet
missing
out?

19. Jump Height <25cm
Higher jump height
Longer flight time
Better movement efficiency
Stronger dancer
Safer dancer

20. Stronger dancer
Safer dancer
Take home message:
Better dancer

22. • Beashek, P and Taylor, J. (1997) The World of Sport Examined. Croatia: Thomas Nelson
and Sons. p. 57
• Davis, B. et al. (2000) Physical Education and the study of sport. 4th ed. Spain: Harcourt. p.
123
• Faigenbaum, A.D., et al., Effects of a short-term plyometric and resistance training program
on fitness performance in boys age 12 to 15 years. J Sports Sci Med, 2007. 6(4): p. 519-25.
• Johnson, B.A., C.L. Salzberg, and D.A. Stevenson, A systematic review: Plyometric training
programs for young children. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 2011.
25(9): p. 2623-2633.
• Koutedakis, Y. and A. Jamurtas, The Dancer as a Performing Athlete: Physiological
Considerations. L Sports Med, 2004. 34(10): p. 651-661.
• Lloyd, R.S., R.W. Meyers, and J.L. Oliver, The natural development and trainability of
plyometric ability during childhood. Strength & Conditioning Journal, 2011. 33(2): p. 23-32.
• Lloyd, R.S., et al., The effects of 4-weeks of plyometric training on reactive strength index
and leg stiffness in male youths. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 2012.
26(10): p. 2812-2819.
• Sahrom S B., C.J.B., Harris N K., Understanding Stretch Shortening Cycle Ability in Youth.
Strength & Conditioning Journal, 2013. 35(3): p. 77-88.
• Tanner, J.M., Growth at adolescence, 2nd ed. 1962, Thomas: Springfield, Ill.
• Taylor, M.J., et al., Vertical jumping and leg power normative data for English school
children aged 10–15 years. Journal of sports sciences, 2010. 28(8): p. 867-872.
References