Some studies observed the effect of training programs to improve jumping performance, either in dancers or in rhythmic gymnastics, which is the gymnastics discipline more equivalent to dance ( Wang et al., 2010 Piazza et al., 2014 Komeroski et al., 2016 Mlsnová and Luptáková, 2017 Tsanaka et al., 2017 Dobrijević et al., 2018 Skopal et al., 2020 Stošić et al., 2020). Consequently, both strength and speed development are fundamental to increasing jumping ability ( Jimenez-Reyes et al., 2014). In fact, the CMJ and drop jump performances are related to grand jeté leap performance in dancers with different skill levels, being considered useful tools for monitoring the power-generating capacity of the lower body of the dancer, thus giving insight into the overall jumping capacity of the dancer ( Blanco et al., 2019). The countermovement jump (CMJ) is usually used to evaluate the power output of the lower limbs as ballistic movements that include both concentric and eccentric phases closer to the sports and ballet movements. In fact, given the abundance of ballistic actions in ballet (e.g., jumps and changes of direction), improvements in jump height may be beneficial for the dancers as a guide to specific training plans that can improve either maximal force or velocity capabilities ( Alvarez et al., 2020). Studies involving dance students report that the increase in strength is crucial for the dancers to perform well, especially concerning the use of the lower limbs (essential in jumping) ( Fração et al., 1999). Others underline the importance of jumping ability in talent identification in dance ( Walker et al., 2010). Several authors recognize that dancers with a more developed jumping ability also improve the perception of aesthetic and artistic components of the choreography ( Wyon et al., 2006 Angioi et al., 2009 Rafferty, 2010). In addition to the dramatic and artistic performance of dancers, dance demands high levels of motor performance, which include a high jumping ability ( Koutedakis et al., 2005). The intersections of dance and sports are reported since some athletes and coaches use strength training to improve their performance ( Markula, 2018), particularly in aesthetic sports such as figure skating and gymnastics. Supplementary strength training appears to be the determinant for the improvement of the jumping performance of ballet dancers.īoth sports and dance culminate in public performances. We concluded that a 16-week strength training program of lower limbs is an effective way to improve CMJ height in young dancers. While CG significantly decreased the relative power over time ( p < 0.001, ES = −0.29: small), results from the intragroup comparisons suggest that IG significantly increased the countermovement jump (CMJ) height ( p < 0.001, ES = 1.21: large), the relative force ( p < 0.001, ES = 0.86: moderate), maximal velocity ( p < 0.001, ES = 1.15: moderate), and relative power ( p < 0.001, ES = 1.37: large). Intergroup and intragroup comparisons were assessed, and the magnitude of change was calculated using the effect size (ES). Jump performance was assessed using MyJump2, a scientifically validated mobile phone app.

A total of 24 participants from the same dance school were randomly selected in the control group and the intervention group, evaluated before and after the applied strength training program mainly using the body weight of each participant. This study aimed to investigate the effect of 16 weeks of lower-limb strength training on the jumping performance of ballet dancers. It is identified as one of the predictors and talent identification in many sports and dance. Jumping ability is considered a determinant of performance success. 5Research Center for Sport and Physical Activity (CIDAF), Faculty of Sports Science and Physical Education, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.4School of Health and Life Sciences, University of the West of Scotland, Ayr, United Kingdom.3LABIOMEP, Porto Biomechanics Laboratory, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.2Faculty of Sport, Center of Research, Education, Innovation and Intervention in Sport (CIFI2D), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.

1Faculty of Sports Science and Physical Education, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.Escobar-Álvarez 2,4, Beatriz Gondra 2, Isaura Leite 2 and Luís Rama 1,5 Lurdes Ávila-Carvalho 1,2*, Filipe Conceição 2,3, Juan A.

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