Quantification of coordination variability in classical ballet dancers during running

The study of the coordination of classical ballet dancers is of great relevance because this group does activities that can generate a higher asymmetric overuse in certain joints or muscles. The aim of this study is to evaluate the coordination variability in the classical ballet dancers during running. Fifteen professional classical ballet dancers and sixteen amateurs were enrolled in the study. To determine the running speed, the subject walked on the treadmill then the speed was gradually increased until the subject began to run comfortably. Continuous relative phase technique was used to analyze the coordination of left and right thigh, left and right leg and left and right foot. No significant differences were found (p < 0.05) between groups for any analyzed variables. The results show that dancing practice appears not affect the running performance of dancers from a coordination point of view.