Comparison of Center of Pressure and Kinematic Differences in Grand Plié With and Without the Barre.

The purpose of this study was to determine what differences exist when performing grand plié with and without the barre. Differences in center of pressure (COP) sway, trunk kinematics, and lower extremity kinematics were used in this analysis for both first (P1) and fifth positions (P5). It was hypothesized that use of the barre would result in decreased COP sway, but increased asymmetries in trunk and lower extremity kinematics would be seen compared with the same movements performed without the barre in both positions.

A screening program for dancers administered by dancers.

Students enrolled in a dance kinesiology class were trained to administer a screening protocol on younger dancers in the same department. The dance kinesiology students gained experience assessing alignment and functional symmetry in their peers, and then recommended exercises for gaining awareness and developing balanced patterns of movement. This "low stakes" assessment created both dialogue and peer support centered on helping the screened dancers understand and effectively work with their individual capacities and limitations.