Effects of plyometric training on Latin dance-specific motor skills in university student dancers: a pilot study

This study evaluated the effects of short-term plyometric training on dance-specific skills in university Latin dancers. Fourteen experienced dancers were randomized to an experimental group (EG: plyometric training, n=6) or control group (CG: standard training, n=8), completing three weekly sessions for 8 weeks. Balance, footwork, and spins & turns were assessed pre- and post-intervention using generalized estimating equations (GEE). Significant Group × Time interactions emerged for balance (Wald χ² = 7.303, p = 0.007) and footwork (Wald χ² = 6.526, p = 0.011), favoring the EG. The EG demonstrated large improvements in balance (d = 1.909), footwork (d = 2.448), and spins & turns (d = 1.849), while the CG showed smaller gains in footwork (d = 1.677) and spins & turns (d = 1.680) but not balance (d = 0.410). Post-intervention, the EG outperformed the CG across all skills (p < 0.05), with gender significantly influencing footwork outcomes (p < 0.001). These findings support plyometric training as an effective method for enhancing Latin dance performance, particularly for balance and footwork. The results provide empirical justification for integrating sport-science conditioning into dance curricula.

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