Date of Defense

Spring 4-22-2011

Department

Dance

First Advisor

Jane Baas, Dance

Second Advisor

Carrie Janiski, MSU/Kalamazoo Center for Medical Studies

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of ideokinetic and kinesthetic techniques as an intervention for realigning the pelvis and achieving more neutral pelvic alignment.

Methods: Subjects were 7 female dancers who were recruited from a current study in progress`` that is investigating normative values for basic strength, flexibility, body composition, and body structure in dancers. Each subject met with the researcher once a week for four weeks to participate in a 30 minutes intervention class that went through a series of ideokinetic and kinesthetic exercises for the pelvis. They were then given a hand-written summary of the class and asked to perform the exercises at least one additional time on their own for a total of 8 intervention sessions. All subjects continued their normal dance activities throughout the study. Subjects were tested pre- and post-intervention for lower abdominal strength, weight distribution in fourth position, and goniometer measurement of pelvic tilt. Additionally dancers completed journals reporting how they felt in the pelvis after intervention in daily life, as well as technique classes.

Results: Lower abdominal strength increased (average 20.71% change) and excessive anterior tilt decreased (average 32.67% change). Weight distribution for the left leg in front moved closer to equal distribution, left leg in back moved further from equal distribution.

Conclusion: All subjects increased lower abdominal strength, except for the two subjects who could not complete the test. Six of the seven subjects decreased anterior tilt, while one maintained the same tilt through the study. Five of the seven subjects decreased anterior tilt enough to be considered in the normative range for pelvic alignment. Therefore, female dancers can benefit from ideokinetic and kinesthetic training for reducing excessive anterior pelvic tilt.

Comments

Full text of this thesis not available per author.

Access Setting

Honors Thesis-Campus Only

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