Authors: Cristina Elena Zgreabăn, Niculina-Liliana Mihăilescu, Vladimir Potop, Carmen Manole, Aurelia Macri, Bianca Ferrario
Affiliation
National University of Science and Technology Politehnica Bucharest, Pitesti University Center, Romania
Abstract
Background. Previous research highlights the importance of physical training in achieving sports performance. It is an integral part of the training content across all sports disciplines and events in different proportions, depending on the demands of the competition. The approach to physical training in aerobic dance is beginning to gain a positive trend, being included in modern athlete training due to the significant gain in explosive strength, execution speed, balance, and coordination.
Aims. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of developing explosive strength, balance, and coordination in specific training for achieving high-performance choreographies at the international level in acrobatic dance, at the age of 12-14 years.
Methods. The study was conducted on a group of 20 female athletes, aged 12-14, who had been practicing aerobic dance for at least one year. The experimental training program lasted for 44 weeks, incorporating specific physical training methods throughout, with different proportions from the preparatory period to the competitive phase. Segmental strength, balance, and coordination were evaluated dynamically. For segmental strength, the tests included the standing long jump (SLJ), push-ups (PU), trunk raises in 30 sec (TR), and lower limb isometric strength (ISO). The level of dynamic balance was evaluated using the Bass Test, and specific coordination (SC) was assessed using the Witty timing system and intelligent traffic lights. The recorded results were analyzed using ANOVA and SPSS software.
Results. The statistical analysis performed with the T-student test highlighted significant differences between the two test phases of the experimental group (p ≤ 0.01 and p ≤ 0.05): at SLJ an improvement of 9.30 cm was recorded, with a progress rate of 5.4%; at PU a progress of 2.50 repetitions with a rate of 15.5%, leading to a more homogeneous group; at ISO a progress of 6.30 sec with a rate of 6.6%; at TB the progress was 14.25 points with a rate of 21.5%, while in the SC test, a progress of 12.1% was observed in the total execution time of the 10 successive repetitions of the motor structure, in conditions requiring spatial orientation, coordination, and execution speed. In terms of competitive performance, the subjects progressed from one competition to another, achieving 1st place at the World Championship in the Netherlands, between July 8-15, 2024.
Conclusions. The research results provide objective evidence that a specific physical training program, focused on the development of segmental strength, dynamic balance, and coordination, leads to significant improvements in motor capacity, with positive effects on choreography and performance in acrobatic dance
Keywords: aerobic dance, acro-dance, physical training, motor capacity, choreography, performance.
